WSPA is fighting to stop the importation of two killer whales by Six Flags' Worlds of Adventure theme park in Ohio. Richard O' Barry, WSPA's Wildlife Consultant, traveled to Ohio in early February to help raise awareness of the plight of the two orcas being pursued by Six Flags. Kshamenk, a male killer whale from Argentina, and Shouka, an adolescent female from France, will be condemned to a life of performing tricks to entertain park visitors and isolation from their natural environment and species if Six Flags succeeds in their efforts to bring them to Ohio. But there is still hope. While Six Flags had hoped to complete the permit process quickly, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, the government agency responsible for granting or rejecting such applications) has decided to reopen the public comment period. NMFS wants to hear what you think about Six Flags bringing orcas to Ohio. Mail or fax your letter today!

Writing letters to help animals:

Send your letters to:
Ann Turbush
Chief, Permits Division
National Marine Fisheries Service
Room 13102
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Springs, MD 20910
RE: MMPA Permit Application No. 1022-1656
Fax: 301-713-0376

Suggestions of points to stress in your letter:

Be sure to reference the MMPA Permit Application No. 1022-1656.
Kshamenk's origins are unclear. Evidence suggests that he may have been illegally stranded in order to be sold into captivity. This orca's status needs to be assessed by an independent panel to determine if he could be returned to the wild.
Kshamenk is not healthy enough to survive the trip from Argentina to Ohio. The stress of being transported could lead to his death.

Shouka is very young and experts do not feel she is a suitable mate. A premature pregnancy could put her health in danger.
These two orcas come from different families (Patagonian and Norwegian) and would not interact in the wild. It is possible that Kshamenk would become aggressive towards Shouka if confined in tank.

Six Flags management has failed to demonstrate that it can provide for the health and well being of orcas. Two orcas under their care have died in the last 18 months.

WSPA, along with a large contingent of animal welfare organizations, protested Six Flags initial import application to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and managed to raise significant concerns about Kshamenk and Shouka's situation. In response to the influx of protests, the NMFS has reopened the public comment period until April 11th, 2002.

Perhaps the most significant red flag raised concerning Six Flags' request to obtain two new killer whales for their facility is the recent deaths of two killer whales living under the care of Six Flags management. The deaths of these two orcas prove that this company is not capable of providing for the necessary health care or a suitable living environment for these sensitive marine mammals.

Kshamenk is of particular concern because his origins are uncertain. Evidence suggests that this orca was intentionally stranded or illegally contained following a natural stranding instead of being returned to the wild as policy dictates. Experts feel that Kshamenk needs to be evaluated by an independent panel to determine if this orca is a candidate for release and, if so, returned to his native waters. If Six Flags is permitted to bring this killer whale to their facility in Ohio, and if he survives the stress of transport, Kshamenk will be forever locked into a life of captivity.

Animal welfare advocates also have concerns regarding Six Flags' plans to breed Kshamenk and Shouka. Shouka is still an adolescent and experts fear that she would not be a suitable mate for the much larger Kshamenk. A pregnancy at this stage of Shouka's development could place this young orca's own health in jeopardy. Furthering their concerns, Kshamenk has been known to exhibit aggressive behavior with his trainers that could pose a risk to Shouka's safety if the two orcas are confined in a tank together.

The sense of urgency is high as NMFS's period for public comments nears its deadline. Susan Sherwin, WSPA's Campaigns Manager said, "If you only write one letter in your life to help animals, now is the time." Kshamenk and Shouka's lives are hanging in the balance but you have the power to save them. Send your letter today to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to urge them to deny Six Flags' request to import two killer whales for their Worlds of Adventure Exhibit in Ohio. The deadline for submitting your comments to the NMFS is April 11th, 2002.