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Orcas Lived With
Ahab Oct-?? 68  Oct-22 68
Haida Oct-?? 68  Nov-?? 68
Mamuk Oct-?? 68  Oct-15 68
Ishmael Oct-?? 68  Oct-22 68

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Cuddles' Death
Measurements: 1968, 1973, 1974
Transfer: 1968
Photos: R A Hills ARPS































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Gender Male
Age at Death ~ 8 years
Date of Capture October 1968
Place of Capture Yukon Harbour, BC
Date of Death February 6 1974
Place of Death
 Dudley Zoo
Cause of Death Steptoccal Mediastinal Abcess

  About Cuddles
In October 1968, over 25 orcas were netted, including the infamous J1 / Ruffles*. Only 5 orcas were chosen to be taken into captivity , one of which was a young orca. This young male went on a long journey across the United States and the Atlantic Ocean to his new home, to a park called Flamingo Park in Yorkshire, Great Britain.

He lived in a small pool along with some dolphins and during his stay, he got more and more aggressive so it was decided to move him to another park, Dudley Zoo. 

Cuddles' health condition was worsening when he was moved. His new tank was barely twice his size and it was very hard for him to turn around; he also had a rough time in captivity, not only poor living conditions but people tried to throw spears at him. Cuddles was also the first orca in the UK and was used in the primary studies of AI.

Sadly, he died in February 1974 from a broken rib and a bacterial abscess in his chest cavity.  At his time in Dudley Zoo, he suffered from ulcers and internal bleeding.

 Name Meaning & Blood Type:
- Cuddles means "to embrace"
- Cuddles is pronounced as "CUD-les"
- Blood Type: 100% Southern Resident

 Family:

Cuddles was a member of the  Southern Resident Orca Community however it is unknown which pod he originates from so his family is unknown

 Transfers
Yukon Harbour October 1968 - Oct-10 1968
Seattle Aquarium Oct 10 1968 - Nov-??
Flamingo Park Nov ?? 1968 - May-21 1971
Dudley Zoo May-21 1971 - Feb-06 1974

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