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List of captive orcas
Orcas, or killer whales, are large predatory cetaceans that were first captured live and displayed in exhibitions in the 1960s. They soon became popular attractions at public aquariums and aquatic theme parks due to their intelligence, trainability, striking appearance, playfulness in captivity and sheer size. As of April 2026, there are an estimated 53 - 55 orcas residing at facilities in North and South America, Europe and Asia.
The first North Eastern Pacific orca, Wanda, was captured in November 1961 by a collecting crew from Marineland of the Pacific, and over the next 15 years, around 60 to 70 orcas were taken from Pacific waters for this purpose. When the US Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 effectively stopped the capture of Pacific orcas, captures were made in Icelandic waters. Since 2010, captures have been made in Russian waters. However, facilities in the United States such as SeaWorld have not collected wild orcas in over 35 years.
As of 2 April 2026, captive orcas are distributed globally as follows:
Out of the 23 captive orcas currently located in the western world (United States, Argentina, Spain and France), 19 were born in captivity (Adán, Ikaika, Kalia, Keet, Keijo, Kyuquot, Malia, Makaio, Makani, Nalani, Orkid, Sakari, Shouka, Takara, Tekoa, Teno, Trua, Tuar, Wikie). Only 5 (Corky II - Northern Resident; Katina (Kandu 6) - Icelandic; Kshamenk - Argentinian; Morgan - Norwegian; Ulises - Icelandic) are wild-captured or rescued individuals still held in these countries. Lolita (Tokitae), the last surviving Southern Resident orca in captivity, died in 2023.
In Japan, 5 of the 6 orcas on display were born in captivity (Lara, Lovey, Luna, Lynn, Ran II). The only wild-captured survivor is Stella.
All 25 known captive orcas in China and Russia are Russian ecotypes. Of these, 18 were wild-captured: Naja/Naya (the last captive orca in Russia) and 17 individuals in China (Bandhu, Chad, Cookie, Dora, Jade, Kaixin (Kaishin), Katenka, "Kyra" (real name unknown), Nakhod, Nukka/Grace/Yaohe, Pànghǔ (Fat Tiger), "Samara" (real name unknown), Sean (Shawn II), Sonya, Tyson, WCKWOWR-OO-C1601, WCKWOWR-OO-C1601).[citation needed] Additionally, there are 7 orcas in China that were born in captivity: (Bowen (Wǔlong), Cody (Fat Beans), Jingxi, Katniss (Sanlong (三隆)), Loki (Erlong (二笼)), Wulong, Yīlóng (一隆), Zimo)).
Kalina, born in September 1985, was the first captive-born orca calf to survive more than a few days. In September 2001, Kasatka gave birth to Nakai, the first orca conceived through artificial insemination, at SeaWorld San Diego. This technique lets park owners maintain a more healthy genetic mix in the small groups of orcas at each park, while avoiding the stress of moving orcas for breeding purposes.
This table contains a full list of living captive orcas in human care (status 18 May 2025).
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List of captive orcas
Orcas, or killer whales, are large predatory cetaceans that were first captured live and displayed in exhibitions in the 1960s. They soon became popular attractions at public aquariums and aquatic theme parks due to their intelligence, trainability, striking appearance, playfulness in captivity and sheer size. As of April 2026, there are an estimated 53 - 55 orcas residing at facilities in North and South America, Europe and Asia.
The first North Eastern Pacific orca, Wanda, was captured in November 1961 by a collecting crew from Marineland of the Pacific, and over the next 15 years, around 60 to 70 orcas were taken from Pacific waters for this purpose. When the US Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 effectively stopped the capture of Pacific orcas, captures were made in Icelandic waters. Since 2010, captures have been made in Russian waters. However, facilities in the United States such as SeaWorld have not collected wild orcas in over 35 years.
As of 2 April 2026, captive orcas are distributed globally as follows:
Out of the 23 captive orcas currently located in the western world (United States, Argentina, Spain and France), 19 were born in captivity (Adán, Ikaika, Kalia, Keet, Keijo, Kyuquot, Malia, Makaio, Makani, Nalani, Orkid, Sakari, Shouka, Takara, Tekoa, Teno, Trua, Tuar, Wikie). Only 5 (Corky II - Northern Resident; Katina (Kandu 6) - Icelandic; Kshamenk - Argentinian; Morgan - Norwegian; Ulises - Icelandic) are wild-captured or rescued individuals still held in these countries. Lolita (Tokitae), the last surviving Southern Resident orca in captivity, died in 2023.
In Japan, 5 of the 6 orcas on display were born in captivity (Lara, Lovey, Luna, Lynn, Ran II). The only wild-captured survivor is Stella.
All 25 known captive orcas in China and Russia are Russian ecotypes. Of these, 18 were wild-captured: Naja/Naya (the last captive orca in Russia) and 17 individuals in China (Bandhu, Chad, Cookie, Dora, Jade, Kaixin (Kaishin), Katenka, "Kyra" (real name unknown), Nakhod, Nukka/Grace/Yaohe, Pànghǔ (Fat Tiger), "Samara" (real name unknown), Sean (Shawn II), Sonya, Tyson, WCKWOWR-OO-C1601, WCKWOWR-OO-C1601).[citation needed] Additionally, there are 7 orcas in China that were born in captivity: (Bowen (Wǔlong), Cody (Fat Beans), Jingxi, Katniss (Sanlong (三隆)), Loki (Erlong (二笼)), Wulong, Yīlóng (一隆), Zimo)).
Kalina, born in September 1985, was the first captive-born orca calf to survive more than a few days. In September 2001, Kasatka gave birth to Nakai, the first orca conceived through artificial insemination, at SeaWorld San Diego. This technique lets park owners maintain a more healthy genetic mix in the small groups of orcas at each park, while avoiding the stress of moving orcas for breeding purposes.
This table contains a full list of living captive orcas in human care (status 18 May 2025).