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Orcas Lived With
Ulises Nov-14 80 Dec-17 80
Bjossa Nov-14 80 Jan-?? 1981
Vigga Nov-10 80 Jan-?? 1981
Finna Nov-07 80 Jan-?? 1981
Benkei Jan-?? 1981 Jul-?? 1983

Resources
Measurements: 1980 & 1983
Transfer: 1980
Photos: N/A

































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Gender Male
Age at Death ~ 4 years
Date of Capture October 24 1980
Place of Capture Alvidra, Iceland
Date of Death July 1983
Place of Death
 Nanki Adventure World
Cause of Death Malignant Lymphoma

  About Benkei II / ベンケイ (O-3)
Benkei II was the first orca to be caught off the south coast of Iceland during the 1980 capture season and he went straight away to Saedyrasafnid Aquarium and in November, he was joined by 4 other orcas.

Vancouver Aquarium was looking for new orcas at that time and bought 4 orcas from that group (Benkei*, Vigga*, Bjossa* and Finna*). After issues with Greenpeace trying to block their transfer, all of them arrived safely at the park on December 20, 1980.

As the park was too small to keep 5 orcas (including resident bull Hyak II*), it was decided that two orcas were to be sold. Vigga* went to California and Benkei was purchased by Nanki Shirahama Adventure World in Japan.

In January 1981, he arrived in Japan and met the resident bull, Benkei*. It's not known if both orcas performed during shows and how they got along during the short time they had together.  

Unfortunately he left the world too soon. In July 1983, Benkei died from a type of cancer called lymphoma which results in a decline in the immune system.

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

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


 Transfers:
Saedyrasafnid Aquarium October 24, 1980 - December 20, 1980
Vancouver Aquarium December 20, 1980 - Jan-?? 1981
Nanki Adventure World Jan-?? 1981 - July 1983

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