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Orcas Lived With
Tai Feb-26 79 Apr-?? 79
Chi Feb-26 79 Apr-?? 79
NAW-OO-C7901 Feb-26 79 ???-?? 79
NAW-OO-C7902 Feb-26 79 ???-?? 79
Kianu Apr-?? 79 Jun-?? 80
Benkei II ???-?? 81
 Jul-?? 83
Ruka Feb-09 85
 Jan-?? 89
Goro Nov-02 85
 Jan-?? 89

Resources
Measurements: 1979 & 1989
Transfers: -
Photos: N/A
































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Gender Male
Age at Death 20+ years
Date of Capture February 26, 1979
Place of Capture Taiji, Japan
Date of Death January 1989
Place of Death
 Nanki Adventure World
Cause of Death
 Acute Pneumonia

  About Benkei / ベンケイ (O-2)
In 1979, the capturing of orcas had started to become popular and one day, 5 orcas were netted near Taiji Bay. All five were moved to Taiji Whale Museum immediatley where they were given basic training before being moved onto their final homes.

Benkei caught the attention of Nanki Shirahama Adventure World and he was bought to be a mate and friend for their only resident orca, Kianu*; so Benkei and two females were brought to Nanki Shirahama Adventure World.

Within months the females died, leaving Benkei and Kianu* alone. The two orcas performed for one season together until Kianu* passed away in 1980. Shortly after Kianu*s death, the park began searching for a new tank mate for Benkei and in 1981 they bought a new orca. This orca was a young male from Iceland and was also named Benkei*. It's not known if both orcas performed during daily performances, but Benkei I was the star of the shows.

Benkei II* died in 1983, so Benkei was left alone again. In 1985, he got two new companions, an Icelandic female called Ruka* and Goro*, a male from Japanese waters.
It is unknown if all three of them performed alongside each other. After living for almost a decade in captivity, Benkei died of an acute case of pneumonia sometime in January 1989.

 Name Meaning & Bloodline:
- Benkei is a Japanese Warrior
- Pronunciation of Benkei: behn-kai
- Blood Type: 100% Japanese

 Family:
Benkei's family is unknown due to the lack of information about Japanese Orcas


 Transfers:
Taiji Whale Museum February 26, 1979 - April-?? 1979 
Nanki Adventure World April-?? 1979 - January-?? 1989
   
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