In SeaWorld Orlando, the giants of the sea are the stars in a spectacular show. It is difficult to understand how these highly-evolved predators and killers can become artistic acrobats and obedient cuddly toys under the control of their trainers.
"Believe“ is the name of the most spectacular orca show ever which has been on show since May 2006 in the open-air Seaworld pools.
At the centre of the show is Shamu, the killer whale, the world-famous symbol of this marine animal adventure park and also symbolic of our desire to get closer to him.
Cameras under the water and above it record every movement and provide insight into the interaction between the trainers and animals under the water.
SeaWorld also operates a successful breeding programme. According to the park, this will protect endangered species from extinction. Six orcas have already been born here in captivity. There is a similar oceanarium in San Diego, California.
Canada (British Columbia):
Dr. Paul Spong, a whale expert, has been researching the social behaviour between orcas for over 30 years off the coast of the Canadian province of British Columbia. Together with his wife, Helena, the New Zealander manages the "Orcalab" research station on Hanson Island. Between Vancouver Island and mainland Canada, Dr. Spong examines the family life of the killer whales in their natural habitat. Spread across the entire straits, Dr. Spong has installed a network of hydrophones and video cameras to enable acoustic analyses of the communication between the orcas to be carried out all year round.
