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The Pod
Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Website Photo Galleries by VisualLightbox.com Orcas between: 1971 - Present
Number of Orcas: 24
Marineland Ontario had a more natural pod structure; all the whales got along well with no permanent separation needed. For many years the orca group consisted of two females, who shared the role of the dominant female. These two females were Kiska and Nootka V.
In 1998, a larger pool was built and all orcas were transferred there, with the exception of Neocia, who stayed at the old tank and performed there. The females, their offspring and the only breeding male Kandu VII stayed at Friendship Cove. Kandu VII was really gentle to his children and trainers were not afraid to keep him with the females and their calves. Sometimes they were tensions between the females though, especially when Neocia was at Friendshipt Cove during the winter season. Over the years, MLC lost many of their calves, with 2004 being the worst year. In 2005 they just kept four orcas: Nootka V, Kandu VII, Kiska and her calf Athena. In December of 2005 Kandu VII passed away and MLC lost their only breeding male. Nootka became depressed after his death and Kiska was sent to be with her. They get along very well, but Athena needed to be separated from her mother because Nootka tried to steal her away from Kiska.
By the end of 2006 they were joined by a new young male, Ikaika. He was the perfect playmate for Athena and she also learned many new behaviours from him. Due to performing issues the 4 orcas were separated into 2 groups: Kiska and Nootka were always together and the youngsters spend their time together. According to trainers and regulars, the four were kept together during the off season and got along very well.
Sadly in January 2008 Nootka passed away and Kiska was reunited with her daugther. For one season, all orcas were together getting along great; there was even a talk about waterworks. Unfortunatly Athena passed away in Spring 2009 and just Kiska and Ikaika are left. Now Kiska spends her time often by herself.
Pod Structure
©
Tsitika
The PodLocation: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Website Photo Galleries by VisualLightbox.com Orcas between: 1971 - Present
Number of Orcas: 24
Marineland Ontario had a more natural pod structure; all the whales got along well with no permanent separation needed. For many years the orca group consisted of two females, who shared the role of the dominant female. These two females were Kiska and Nootka V.
In 1998, a larger pool was built and all orcas were transferred there, with the exception of Neocia, who stayed at the old tank and performed there. The females, their offspring and the only breeding male Kandu VII stayed at Friendship Cove. Kandu VII was really gentle to his children and trainers were not afraid to keep him with the females and their calves. Sometimes they were tensions between the females though, especially when Neocia was at Friendshipt Cove during the winter season. Over the years, MLC lost many of their calves, with 2004 being the worst year. In 2005 they just kept four orcas: Nootka V, Kandu VII, Kiska and her calf Athena. In December of 2005 Kandu VII passed away and MLC lost their only breeding male. Nootka became depressed after his death and Kiska was sent to be with her. They get along very well, but Athena needed to be separated from her mother because Nootka tried to steal her away from Kiska.
By the end of 2006 they were joined by a new young male, Ikaika. He was the perfect playmate for Athena and she also learned many new behaviours from him. Due to performing issues the 4 orcas were separated into 2 groups: Kiska and Nootka were always together and the youngsters spend their time together. According to trainers and regulars, the four were kept together during the off season and got along very well.
Sadly in January 2008 Nootka passed away and Kiska was reunited with her daugther. For one season, all orcas were together getting along great; there was even a talk about waterworks. Unfortunatly Athena passed away in Spring 2009 and just Kiska and Ikaika are left. Now Kiska spends her time often by herself.
