Photo provided by Katerina Studios.
Dora, English for Duǒlā(朵拉), is a 12-13 year old female Russian transient killer whale that lives at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park. She was captured sometime in the fall of 2015 in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia.
Capture
Dora was captured in Russia and the date is unknown, but it's believed to be 2015, although this has never been confirmed. After her capture, she was moved to TINRO and met three other whales, Cookie, Pànghǔ, and Shawn II. Photos from the three at TINRO without featuring Dora suggests that she captured after them, presumably in the fall of 2015. All whales were bought and sent to Dalian Laohutan Ocean Park, a facility owned by Shanghai, for basic training. Dora and the others were moved back to Shanghai, and the killer whale stadium at the park opened in November of 2018.
Life at Shanghai
Dora(front) and Cookie. Photo via Weibo, provided by Katerina Studios.
Once the whales were display to the public, there was a mix up between the female's IDs. It was confirmed by trainers at the park that Dora is the largest female, not the smallest. It is also believed she was pregnant around the same time, based on photos that look similar to when Cookie was pregnant. The calf was likely miscarried and sired by Pànghǔ(Shawn was too young at the time).
In early 2021, Dora and Cookie, the younger female, were briefly taken out of shows. While Dora eventually returned, Cookie did not. As a result, Cookie gave birth to her first calf, a male later named Cody, in September of 2021, and the shows were stopped for a few weeks but later returned. Dora has not yet met Cody, though it is likely they will meet soon.
In the summer of 2023, Cookie gave birth to her second calf, thought unfortunately they did not survive. It is likely that Dora was one of the first whales Cookie was paired with after the death as a way to comfort her. Compared to recent photo of Cookie being pregnant, it is very likely that Dora is expecting her second calf. It is not known when the calf is due, though likely by the end of this year(2023).
Personality and Appearance
Dora is a sweet whale when working with trainers and does well with all members of the Shanghai pod, though she will often place Shawn in his rank in the hierarchy pyramid. She is often paired with Cookie or Pànghǔ, and can be seen in several shows throughout the day. When in shows, Dora is almost always with other members of the pod, and is hardly by herself. She is the largest female orca at the facility.
Gallery
If you are going to use any of these photos, please credit the photographer and/or the provider. PLEASE REFER BACK TO THIS WIKI. NOT ALL PHOTOS CAN BE USED!!
Many photos can be found from Inherently Wild.
Dora(front) and Cookie
Dora, Cookie, and Pànghǔ(front to back)
Cookie, Dora, and Shawn II(left to right)
Shawn II Dora, Pànghǔ, and Cookie(front to back)
Shawn II Dora, Pànghǔ, and Cookie(front to back)
Cookie, Pànghǔ, Dora, and Shawn II(left to right)
Cookie, Pànghǔ, Dora, and Shawn II(left to right)
Shawn II Dora, Pànghǔ, and Cookie(front to back)
Cookie, Dora, Pànghǔ, and Shawn II(front to back)
Cookie, Dora, Pànghǔ, and Shawn II(front to back)
Cookie, Dora, and Shawn II(left to right)
Shawn II Dora, Pànghǔ, and Cookie(front to back)
Cookie, Pànghǔ, Dora, and Shawn II(left to right)
Cookie, Pànghǔ, Dora, and Shawn II(left to right)
Cookie(left) and Dora
Cookie, Pànghǔ, Dora, and Shawn II(left to right)
Cookie, Pànghǔ, Dora, and Shawn II(front to back)
Shawn II Pànghǔ, Dora, and Cookie(left to right)
Cookie(left) and Dora
Shawn II, Dora, Pànghǔ, and Cookie(right to left)
Shawn II, Dora, Pànghǔ, and Cookie(front to back)
Shawn II Dora, Pànghǔ, and Cookie(front to back)
Shawn II Cookie, Dora, and Pànghǔ(left to right)
Cookie, Pànghǔ, Dora, and Shawn II(front to back)
Shawn II Dora, Pànghǔ, and Cookie(right to left)
Cookie, Dora, Pànghǔ, and Shawn II(front to back)
Shawn II Dora, Pànghǔ, and Cookie(right to left)
Dora(left) and Cookie
Photos provided by Katerina Studios.