My Dragon's Lair Sharing is the reason for my being...: Taku: Killer whale at SeaWorld in Texas dies

SAN ANTONIO - A killer whale at the SeaWorld in San Antonio has died unexpectedly.
SeaWorld spokesman Fran Stephenson says Taku (tah-KU'), a 14-year-old male killer whale, died Wednesday night. Taku had been showing signs of infection for the three days before his death, but he was responding to treatment, Stephenson said.
A cause of death has not been determined. Results of an examination will be available in six weeks.
Stephenson said there is a wide disparity on estimates for the life expectancy of killer whales.

Taku died unexpectedly on October 17, 2007, at the age of 14 and weighing over 7000 lbs. Authorities said that a post-mortem examination will be performed, but results will not be available for six weeks.

Taku is a male killer whale, born at SeaWorld in Florida. After birth, he spent most of his time, being with Katina or Nyar, his half-sister. After 3 years of his mothers' care, she gave birth again. When his little sister was born he was very interested and since that moment they were inseparable! Mostly Unna, Katina and Taku were in a tank, doing laps together. On August 25, 2002 Katina gave birth again.

He became nervous and had to be moved into another tank. Unna was later moved to SeaWorld Texas in December of 2002 and since then, Ikaika and Taku started bonding. Ikaika even can swim in mother-calf-position with Taku.

Family Members/Breed

Mother: Katina
Father: Tilikum
Brothers: Ikaika, Kyuquot (half), Sumar (half), Tekoa (half), Tuar (half), and Nakai (half)
Sisters: Kalina (half), Katerina* (half), Kohana (half), Unna, Nyar* (half), Skyla (half), Nalani, and Malia (half).
Nephews: Keet, Keto, and Tuar
Nieces: Skyla
Daughters: Nalani
Sons: Trua
Possible Relatives: Betty*, Nandu*, and Samoa*
Breed: 100% Icelandic

(Asterisk indicates a deceased relative)

Meeting Takara: When Takara and her daughter Kohana arrived at SeaWorld, Taku took some romantic interest in her. At first, Takara would swim away from him when he was too close to him but later took romantic interest in Taku and began to be close to him. Takara had made a good impression on Taku - love at first sight! Visitors were commenting on Taku's persistence in following Takara and Kohana everywhere after their arrival. Now things have settled down a bit and Takara actually enjoys Taku's company a lot. She would often initiate contact with him by swimming with him or just rubbing. They're a cute couple. Soon Taku mated with Takara in May 2004 and she became pregnant by him.

Birth of Taku's son Trua: On November 23, 2005 around 21:50 EST (4:50 PM), Takara went into labor with her second calf with her daughter Kohana beside her. An hour later around 22:22, Takara gave birth to a male calf (Taku's son/first calf) who was later to be named Trua. Source: Wikipedia

Orcas - SeaWorld's main attraction is its Orcas, several of which are housed in 7-million-gallon habitats that are each known as Shamu Stadium. Shamu was the name of the first Orca brought to SeaWorld San Diego in the 1960s. 'Shamu' is now used as a stage name for adult Orcas in performances at SeaWorld parks. The Orcas all have real names. Currently, Sea World houses 22 Orcas in its three parks. Seven Orcas live in the San Diego park: Corky, Kasatka, Ulises, Orkid, Sumar, Nakai, and Kalia. Nine live at SeaWorld Orlando: Katina, Kalina, Tilikum, Taima, Takara, Kayla, Trua, Nalani, and Malia. SeaWorld San Antonio holds six Orcas: Taku, Kyuquot, Keet, Unna, Tuar, and Halyn. Wikipedia History of SeaWorld

Dedicated to Taku on Webshots.com Taku published by orcalover109 Rest In Peace, Taku . . . I've uploaded some old pictures I had of Taku. I apologize for any duplicates. I chose this one for the dedication given. Photos and comments posted.

From Texas Liberal, a Wordpress Political site. The highlighted links show what is included.

An orca, or killer whale, has died unexpectedly today at Sea World in San Antonio, Texas. This whale was called Taku.

Taku is an interesting name for this whale. Gyotaku is a Japanese art form where an impression in paper made over a dead fish in order to preserve an image of the fish. In this way, fishermen could prove how big a catch they had made to others. It is also practiced by some as an art form.

The photo above is gyotaku art. Gyo means “fish” and taku means “rubbing or “impression.”

Of course, gyotaku is not what Sea World is doing with the deceased so-called Taku. Everybody already knows that Sea World puts huge killer whales in little tanks. Nothing to prove on that account.

Please click here for a previous Texas Liberal post on what is done with Shamu whales when they die at Sea World.

Please click here for a post on when a Shamu attacked her handler.

About Author: Neil Aquino. Since you’re at a political blog, please click here for a great article on helping America’s middle classes. We’ve got to find a way to help people live decent lives in the Global Economy. October 19th, 2007 - Posted by Neil Aquino Art, Sea Life, Texas Art, Gyotaku, Marine Mammals, Sea Life, Sea World, Shamu, Taku