Photo by SeaWorld.
Katina is a 49 year old female Icelandic killer whale who lives at SeaWorld Orlando. She was captured on the 17th of October, 1978 in Skarðsfjara, Southern Region, Iceland. Katina is the most successful breeding female among captive killer whales, as well as giving birth to the first killer whale calf to survive in captivity.
Capture and MarineLand
Katina's Capture. Photo via an Icelandic News Article.
On the 17th of October, 1978, 3 whales, one male and two females, were caught in Skarðsfjara, Iceland. They were surprisingly moved to a sea pen at Grindavik harbor for at least one day upon arriving at Sædýrasafnið. Here, they would be trained and put up for sale. After being sexed a female, SeaWorld took interest in the young females, later name Katina and Kakela, though Katina was later shipped to MarineLand Canada in November of that year. It's not known how she was transferred there, though some believe she was laundered. Unfortunately, their unnamed male companion was left at the aquarium(sold to Kamogawa Sea World), and was later known as one of the "Sædýrasafnið Five." He passed away in January of 1979.
While at MarineLand, Katina was given the name “Kandu (VI)”. She met Kanduke(known as Kandu IV at the time) and Knootka. Throughout her time here, Katina was seen with all the whales despite being the only one from Atlantic waters. She did a few shows and performed well in them along with the others. Although the park illegally had her for several months, SeaWorld finally gained access Katina. She was then moved to the closest SeaWorld park, SeaWorld Ohio, on the 21st of June, 1979.
Onto SeaWorld
Kenau, Kandu 5, Katina, and Kasatka (Left to Right). Photo by SeaWorld.
After her move, Katina was able to meet another Icelandic female, Kenau. Around this time, it was decided that, to keep the "k name" theme going, the female would be renamed from Kandu to Katina(though Kandu was a common stage name for SeaWorld orcas around that time). Three months later, she was shipped to the park in San Diego where she meet Kandu V, Kotar, Kasatka(all Icelandic orcas) and Winston(a southern resident). Throughout the next couple years(1980-1984), she would move back and forth between Ohio and San Diego along with Kasatka, one of her greatest companions. The two never fought or got aggressive, and worked well together. Because Ohio was closed in the winter, many if not almost all of the animals were moved to other parks owned by SeaWorld. While in Ohio, she was always to be seen with Kasatka, and performed in waterworks as well. At San Diego, she would be commonly noticed with Kenau, Kandu V, and Kasatka as well. Kotar was sent to the petting pool at SeaWorld San Diego, and later moved to SeaWorld Orlando.
The First Surviving Calf
Katina, Kona II, and Kalina (Left to Right). Photo by SeaWorld via News Archives.
Katina and Winston mated sometime right before Katina was moved to SeaWorld Ohio for their 1983 season, and in 1984 it was later confirmed that she was pregnant with her first calf. Because this was one of the first confirmed pregnancy's for SeaWorld, it was decided to move Katina to SeaWorld Orlando, so she could give birth at their new and enlarged stadium. This was thought to be very important to the calf's survival, compared to the older tanks that were built in the early and mid 70s. On the 23rd of November, 1984, Katina and Kasatka arrived in Orlando. Both were eventually reunited Kotar, and met Kahana and Kona II as well.
On the 26th of September, 1985, Katina went into labor with her first calf, dubbed “the Original Baby Shamu”. The calf survived being born head first, a very rare occurrence only happening once before. After a couple months of survival, the calf was confirmed to be a female and named "Kalina" after her mother. Kalina's father was also confirmed to be Winston, making her the only captive born Southern Resident killer whale to survive(although she was a hybrid). Unfortunately, Kalina never met her father as he passed away in the following year(1986).[1] Katina eventually made headlines after Kalina was able to survive being born under human care, as killer whales born before her only lived a couple of unfortunate weeks. She was able to nurse from her mother with the help of Kona, who assisted Katina throughout Kalina's beginning days. The two females, Katina and Kona, formed a strong bond together, and Katina trusted Kona to be with her calf when she wasn't around, acting as an "aunt" to Kalina. The three were almost always seen in shows together and fairly well while performing. Because it was not known what to do with killer whale calves in shows at the time, Kalina often interrupted her trainers, other whales, and mainly her mother during shows, causing a disruption. When 1987 arrived, Katina was able to reunite once again with a fellow pod mate and friend, Kanduke. He was sold to SeaWorld and shipped to Orlando park after MarineLand had bought another male. As a result, Katina and Kanduke later mated making Katina pregnant with her second calf.
Gudrun and Katina
Female killer whale "Gudrun" was shipped to Orlando in the following month from Dolfinarium Harderwijk, located in the Netherlands. Despite being Icelandic, Katina got very aggressive with the arrival of the new orca. She often raked and rammed Gudrun, and at one point Gudrun tried to fight back. Coming full speed, Katina saw Gudrun charging at her and reacted by hitting Gudrun hard with her tail flukes. The noise was so loud that it echoed, and trainers immediately moved the bleeding, injured, and even vomiting Gudrun to the med pool. There, trainers discovered two of Gudrun's teeth were pushed back into her jaw bone. Using a surgery like procedure and some wood blocks to hold her mouth open, veterinarians removed the two stuck teeth however Gudrun was never fully able to close her mouth again. Despite the incident, the two were still paired together up until Gudrun's death.[2]
In October of 1987, Kona passed away while pregnant. In early 1988, Kotar later moved to San Antonio as a result of tension between him and Kanduke. Kasatka and Kahana were also moved along with him. When Kasatka became pregnant with her first calf(later named Takara), she moved back west to San Diego. Katina was never transferred out of SeaWorld Orlando, therefore she wouldn't see Kasatka again.
"Trio of Births"
Katerina (front) and Katina. Photo by SeaWorld
The "trio of births'' began in September of 1988, when a young female calf, later to be named Orkid, was born at SeaWorld San Diego. On the following 4th of November, Katina went into labor with her second calf. Born tail first, the calf was born alive and swam up to take its first breath. Sexed as another female, she was named "Katerina" and was Katina’s second calf to survive. Katina was able to teach Kalina how to be a mother with her half sister, teaching her what to do and how to behave and/or act. For the next year and a half, the three were commonly seen in shows and did great together, forming a strong mother and daughter bond. Kalina learned well from her mother, but on the 12th of February, 1990, she was moved to SeaWorld Ohio. Multiple trainers reported Katina acting differently. She had isolated herself from the other whales, including Katerina, reportedly making distress noises. A large debate went out over the welfare of both animals, and Katina became protective over Katerina. When Kalina moved to SeaWorld San Diego later that year, Katerina was shipped to Ohio as a replacement for her sister in April of 1991. This took an even larger toll on Katina, as she had no relatives or males to conceive with at the time. Taima, Gudrun's first calf that was born in 1989, would later form a small bond with her. Katina and Gudrun also performed in shows without a noticeable problem. A pregnant Keanu also joined them for a few months in the summer but died soon after her move.[3]
In January of 1992, a teen bull male killer whale named Tilikum moved from the Sealand of the Pacific to SeaWorld Orlando. Both whales mated and not long after his arrival, Katina was soon expecting her third calf. On the 9th of September, 1993, Katina went into labor with her first male calf. After successfully giving birth again, the newborn, later named Taku, became very attached to his mother. Not leaving her side at any time, the two became very bonded. Gudrun later gave birth to her second calf, named "Nyar", on the 31st of December, 1993. Katina pushed the newborn out of the way(in her path) so Nyar wouldn't hit the glass as Gudrun had refused to tend to her. Three weeks after Nyar's birth, Gudrun tried drowning her daughter because of extensive health problems. There are no reports that Katina tried saving Nyar or trainers trying to pair the two together.
Shamu's Family
The “Shamu family” extended in February of 1993 when Kalina went into labor with her first calf at SeaWorld San Antonio. Not even 7 and a half years of age, she successfully gave birth to a male, later to be known as Keet. The following year, she rejoined her mother, and Katerina later moved again from Ohio to replace her sister. The mother and daughter bond was not present as previously recorded, as to staff's surprise. Kalina was later discovered to be pregnant with her second calf, and as the summer of 1995 approached, Kalina gave birth to her second male calf, named Keto. Following that, in 1996, Gudrun tried to give birth to a stillborn calf. She died 4 days later, with ill Nyar passing just a month after. This didn't seen to effect Katina, however, as she was still stubborn against Taima, presumably for being Gudrun's daughter.
Katina went into labor with her fourth calf on the 27th of December, 1996. Taima was present for the birth in efforts to teach her how to become a mother as it was hoped that she would became pregnant. Taima was vey interested in the calf, later named Unna, and continuously tried acting like a mother. Katina didn't like this and often pushed her out of the way if Taima was too close to the calf. As Katina's third female and fourth successful calf, Unna did well and overtook the nursing spot from Taku, who was bitter for a couple of days but realized that he would have to eventually let someone else take the spot. In late February of 1997, Kalina gave birth to a female stillbirth calf, which presumably affected Kalina. Until 2002, Taku, Kalina, Taima, Unna, and Katina performed well together in shows. Taima gave birth to her first calf, a male named Sumar, however she often rammed and pushed the calf around. Katina(and mostly Kalina) tried to teach her how to take care of her calf, however her actions became too strong and Sumar was moved to SeaWorld San Diego 8 months later. Kalina was later pregnant and gave birth to her 4th calf, a male named Tuar in 1999, though Keto moved out earlier in the year for behavioral problems as he was continuously aggressive and dominant despite his young age. Taima's second calf, born in 2000, was also pushed and thrown around despite Kalina's motherly actions. He was named Tekoa and formed a strong bond with Tuar, which allowed him to be with Kalina. As a result, Katina would sometimes help Taima in raising Tekoa.
The 2000s
Katina was later confirmed to be pregnant in 2002, and was one of 4 SeaWorld whales to be featured on the Animal Planet show “That’s My Baby”. The male calf was born on the 25th of August, 2002, and yet again survived after birth. Named Ikaika, he got along very well with Taku and formed a strong bond with him and his mother. Unpleasantly, Unna moved to San Antonio in December of 2002 and would live there the rest of her life. Kalina became pregnant with her 5th and final calf, her only surviving female named Skyla on the 9th of February, 2004. A few months later, Tuar and Tekoa moved to SeaWorld San Antonio, which broke the bond between the two. This affected Kalina yet again, taking a minor toll on Katina. Takara, and her daughter, Kohana, moved to the park the following day, and Takara was later pregnant with her first calf. Later in the year, Kasatka gave birth to her third calf, a female named Kalia, who was sired by Keet. Kayla later gave birth to her first calf, Halyn, who was also sired by Keet, making Katina a great grandmother. Takara gave birth to her first male calf in November of 2005, sired by Taku, who was only 11 at the time. He was named Trua in honor of the upcoming Believe show. Halyn passed away in 2008, living at SeaWorld San Antonio for her entire life(Katina never came in contact).
Taku, Katina, Newborn Nalani, and Ikaika (Left to Right). Photographer Unknown
Taku and Katina formed a well enough bond and Katina was later expecting her 6th calf, a female named Nalani. She went into labor on the 18th of September, 2006, with Taku present for the beginning of the birth. Despite being inbred, Nalani survived, though this resulted in major changes. Ikaika was very sexual with the newborn and tried mating with her many times despite being only 4 years old. Taku, on the other hand, was her father, which feared that he would cause problems towards her mental health as she was inbred. Katina didn't intend on bonding with the newborn and because of this, both Taku and Ikaika moved out of SeaWorld Orlando on the 18th of November, 2006. Taku was sent to SeaWorld San Antonio and later passed away in 2007. Ikaika was shipped to MarineLand Canada, where Katina had previously lived, however he was returned to SeaWorld in 2011 after they filed a claim regarding his health. Instead of returning to Orlando, however, he was sent to SeaWorld San Diego for behavioral training, similar to why Keto was transferred. Ikaika currently resides there today and his sexual behavior has gone down as a result from the training. Also in 2006, Kohana and 2 year old Skyla were moved out to Loro Parque in Spain. There, they met Tekoa and Keto.
Despite Taima giving birth to a miscarriage in March of 2005, she was pregnant again. This time, she didn’t reject her female calf, born in March of 2007. Katina and Kalina helped take care and teach Taima skills that she needed. Named Malia, the calf also spent time with Nalani and Trua as well. However, Takara was later found out to be pregnant(later to be known as Sakari), and she moved to Texas in 2009. Because of this, a pregnant Kayla, Halyn's mother, took care of Trua, who had moved to the park in exchange for Taku in 2006. This was done so that Katina and Kalina’s motherly skills would help Kayla not reject her calf like Halyn was. Unfortunately, the calf, who was sired by Keet, showed no signs of life in April 2007 and was miscarried the next month.
Death of "Baby Shamu"
Young Makaio (Left) and Katina. Photo by SeaWorld.
As 2010 rolled by, Katina and Taima were both found to be pregnant with their last calf. Things took a turn for the worst, however, when Senior Trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by breeding bull Tilikum. Waterworks permanently stopped and the change was sudden for Katina and the other whales. Later, in June of 2010, Taima died while giving birth to a near full-time male fetus. It only got worse, when a fight between Kalina and Kayla broke out during a Believe show later that month. The two, each half of different Residents from the Eastern Pacific, were always fighting and the tension got worse. Kayla, who’s jaw had been broken, raked Kalina twice above her right eye patch, causing an open wound. As Katina was getting close to her due date, Taima’s first son Sumar died. Five days before her calf was born, Kalina died on the 4th of October. The cause of death, which was listed as Acute Bacterial Septicemia(bacterial blood poisoning), was caused from the wounds after the fight between her and Kayla. The loss hit Katina hard, however she went into labor with her final calf, a male named Makaio on the 9th of October.
Exactly four days later, Kohana gave birth to her first calf, a male sired by Keto. Named Adan, he was the first inbred calf born out of the United States. Kohana gave birth again in 2012 to a female named Victoria. Unfortunately, she passed away 10 months later in June of 2013. Kalia gave birth to her first calf, named Amaya, in December of 2014, and this made Katina a great great grandmother. Unfortunately, Unna passed away in December of 2015, followed by Tilikum in early 2017. Katina’s long time friend, Kasatka, was euthanized in August of the same year due to ongoing skin infections. Morgan gave birth to her first calf, sired(never actually confirmed by the park, only guests who were told from trainers) by Keto in September of 2018. The female calf, named Ula, grew up with her father well at Loro Parque. In 2021, Skyla, Kalina's only surviving female calf, passed away suddenly in quite the same way her mother did, ironically. A few months later, in August, Ula and Amaya also died, only 19 days apart from each other.
From Then On
Katina (left) and her daughter Nalani. Photo by SeaWorld.
In 2016, SeaWorld banned breeding for captive killer whales. Later, in March of 2018, Katina sustained an injury to her dorsal fin. This required much treatment and it is believed tension between her and Trua may have sparked the incident. Other news reports say it was the gates, while others think it was self harm or Katina trying to reach her calf, Nalani. The orcas at Orlando were later separated into same sex pods, and four pilot whales, Fredi, Ace, Piper, and Ava moved into Shamu Stadium as a result to their move to San Diego. Fredi died in April, however. Katina tried repeatedly reaching Makaio through the slide overs and vocalizing to him over the gates. When Kayla died in January of 2019, Trua started chasing Makaio as a presumable result of her death. The aggression soon went down and they were reunited during a Light Up the Night show in July of that year. Separated again in 2020, they were reunited in January of 2021. The remaining three pilot whales made their way to SeaWorld San Diego in September of 2019.
After SeaWorld Orlando reopened from the COVID-19 pandemic in June of 2020, Katina was spotted with a round circle like injury on her right eye patch. Nothing was released relating to this injury nor was anything confirmed. Since then, it seems to have healed or gone back to normal. Her dorsal injury has gotten much better as well. In 2021, three of Katina's relatives, Skyla, Ula, and Amaya, all passed away.
Personality
Nalani, Makaio (Above Nalani), Katina, Kayla, and Malia (Left to Right). Photo by SeaWorld.
Katina is a very energetic and bonding whale. She is the highest flyer at SeaWorld Orlando and often gets much energy on every behavior. She did great with waterworks and never had troubles with trainers or raising her calves. Katina spends much time with Malia and Nalani, plus Makaio when she can. Trua also gets along with Katina now, too. When live fish were introduced to Katina, she showed little to no interest in them, according to park guests. Despite that, she loves to spend time with trainers and is always up for learning new behaviors.
Timeline
To skip to Katina's gallery and trivia, click here.
Features everything that has/had to do with Katina. This includes whales, parks, or things that might be related or affected Katina.
1978
17th of October - Katina, Kakela, and SAE-OO-C8707 are captured in Skardsfjara, Iceland. They are moved to a sea pen at Grindavik Harbor.
18th-19th of October - Katina, Shawn, and SAE-OO-C8707 are moved from the Grindavik Harbor Sea Pen, Iceland, to Sædýrasafnið.
November - Katina moves from Sædýrasafnið to MarineLand Canada. There, she met Kanduke(Kandu IV) and Knootka.
1979
21st of June - Katina moves from MarineLand Canada to SeaWorld Ohio. There, she met Kandu V and Kenau. Katina gets her permanent name but Kandu is left as her stage name.
September - Katina moves from SeaWorld Ohio to SeaWorld San Diego. She meets Kasatka, Kotar, and Winston.
1980
20th of April - Katina and Kasatka move from SeaWorld San Diego to SeaWorld Ohio.
September - Katina and Kasatka moves from SeaWorld Ohio to SeaWorld San Diego.
1981
26th of April - Katina and Kasatka moves from SeaWorld San Diego to SeaWorld Ohio.
September - Katina and Kasatka move from SeaWorld Ohio to SeaWorld San Diego.
1982
2nd of May - Katina and Kasatka move from SeaWorld San Diego to SeaWorld Ohio.
September - Katina and Kasatka move from SeaWorld Ohio to SeaWorld San Diego.
1983
April - Katina and Kasatka moves from SeaWorld San Diego to SeaWorld Ohio.
September - Katina and Kasatka move from SeaWorld Ohio to SeaWorld San Diego.
1984
30th of April - Katina and Kasatka move from SeaWorld San Diego to SeaWorld Ohio.
23rd of November - Katina and Kasatka move from SeaWorld Ohio to SeaWorld Orlando. They are reunited with Kahana and Kotar, as well as meeting Kona II.
1985
26th of September - Katina gives birth to Kalina at SeaWorld Orlando. The sire in Winston.
1988
4th of November - Katina gives birth to Katerina at SeaWorld Orlando. The sire is Kanduke.
1991
20th of April - Katerina moves from SeaWorld Orlando to SeaWorld Ohio.
2004
9th of February - Kalina gives birth to Skyla at SeaWorld Orlando. The sire is Tilikum. Katina met Skyla not long after birth.
Trivia
Katina('s)...
- is the most successful breeding female in captivity.
- is the oldest Icelandic female in captivity.
- is the matriarch of SeaWorld Orlando.
- is known for giving birth to the original Baby Shamu.
- is a star in the SeaWorld documentary "Celebrations".
- is the mother of the first successful inbred killer whale in captivity.
- name means "pure" in Greek and shares this meaning with her daughter Katerina.
- is one of the many whales who was transferred in and out through SeaWorld Ohio.
- has a cut in her dorsal fin.
- has lived with a total of 36 other orcas in her life consisting of 3 different ecotypes.
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.
DO NOT USE.
Photo ©CrazyKillerWhaleGirl.
Katina and young Katerina
Katina and newborn Katerina
Photos provided by Katerina Studios.
Katina giving birth to Katerina
Photo by Associated Press.
DO NOT USE.
Photo © The Filary Family.
Katina and Young Ikaika
Photos by the Orlando Sentinel.
Katina and Young Makaio
Photo by Fox Tampa Bay
Katerina and young Katina
Katerina, Katina, and Kalina(back to front)
Katerina nursing Katina
Young Katerina(front), Katina, and Gudrun(back)
Katerina nursing Katina
Katina giving birth to Katerina
Katina and Ikaika(back)
Katina and Young Ikaika
Young Ikaika and Katina
Young Ikaika and Katina
Young Ikaika and Katina
Young Ikaika and Katina
Young Ikaika and Katina
Taku, Ikaika, and Katina(left to right)
Katina(left) and Taku
Taku(left) and Katina
Taku(left) and Katina
Taku nursing Katina
Taku and Katina(right)
Katina and Young Makaio
Makaio(left) and Katina
Makaio nursing from Katina
Katina(bottom) and Makaio
Katina and newborn Makaio
Katina and newborn Makaio
Katina and newborn Makaio
Katina(top) and Makaio
Katina and Newborn Makaio
Katina and Newborn Makaio
Katina and Newborn Makaio
Katina and Newborn Makaio
Katina and Newborn Makaio
Katina and Newborn Makaio
Katina and Newborn Makaio
Katina and Newborn Makaio
Katina and Newborn Makaio
Tilikum(front), Katina, and Makaio(under Katina)
Makaio, Katina, and Nalani(left to right)
Unna(left) and Katina
Unna(left), Katina, and another whale
Unna, Katina, Ikaika(following Katina), and Taku(right to left)
Taima, Unna, and Katina(top to bottom)
Katina(left) and Nalani
Katina and Newborn Nalani
Nalani(left) and Katina
Nalani(left) and Katina
Kayla, Katina, and Nalani(left to right)
Katina giving birth to Nalani
Katina(left) and Nalani
Nalani, Katina, and Kayla(left to right)
Photos by SeaWorld.