No Such Thing as Shamu?

[liamaxina]

A word of warning for anyone Dining with Shamu. We did it the last time we went to Orlando and my son was devastated to be told that there was in fact no such thing as Shamu! There are several killer whales at the park and none of them are actually called Shamu. Its just a kind of trade name. My son was so disappointed to find this out that he said it was like finding out there was no Father Christmas. It spoiled his entire holiday and he still hasn't got over it! He still goes on about it and he's 17 now:omg:

[TinkTatoo]

Shamu is the "family" name and we explained it to DS and DD that it was their surname and all the whales had different "first" names.

[liamaxina]

Shamu is the "family" name and we explained it to DS and DD that it was their surname and all the whales had different "first" names.

I have just explained your reply to my son, who is sprawled out on the sofa watching TV, and he started laughing and tole me not to be such a berk!:omg:

[m84ourlife]

you will be telling me next there is no such thing as father Christmas

[TrueBlueAngel]

Well, I didnt know that :(

[TinkTatoo]

I have just explained your reply to my son, who is sprawled out on the sofa watching TV, and he started laughing and tole me not to be such a berk!:omg:

LOL well my two are 8 & 9 so that's why it probably worked on them :grin:

[carys]

Shamu is the "family" name and we explained it to DS and DD that it was their surname and all the whales had different "first" names.
I think that is a great explanation , i am going to try that.

[BEC]

i found that out not long ago!!!!!!!

[W3LUM]

This was posted by BCKloon in an other thread:thumbs-up Found this

"'Shamu: World Focus'...'Shamu: New Visions'...'Shamu: Close Up!'...'The Shamu Adventure'...'Shamu' is the ultimate face of Sea World, the biggest group of marine parks in the world. Because Shamu is no longer individual - she is a trademark.

The original Shamu was taken into captivity in October 1965 and lived at Sea World of California for 6 years, before dying of septicaemia. Since then there has only been one more individual animal named Shamu, and now the name is a registered trademark. 'Shamu', 'Namu', 'Ramu', 'Kandu' and 'Baby Shamu' all carry the famous ® sign after their names in most show programmes and publicity material. These 5 famous names are all show-names that you will hear if you go to any Sea World killer whale show. The whales themselves keep their original names but these are rarely used to the public and certainly not during shows.

Sea World has been around almost since the very beginning of killer whale capture. Its original parent company was Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, but in 1989 they sold Sea World, Incorporated, to Anheuser-Busch, for $1.1 billion. Anheuser-Busch was, and probably still is, the biggest brewer in the world, with the famous 'Budweiser' beer to its name. It is also now the 2nd largest operator of marine parks in the United States. HBJ sold Sea World as they needed the cash, and Sea World was the most profitable part of it empire. As it is, Sea World is definitely big business, raking in $400-$500 million every year.

Sea World dominate the marine park industry - they own the most captive Orcas (20 out of 52), bring in the most visitors, and also the most cash. Millions of people flock to see 'Shamu' and friends every years - indeed, it is estimated that 70% of Sea World, Inc.'s total cash income is created by the 19 Sea World killer whales.

There are several reasons why Sea World uses the same show name for each whale that comes into their parks. The one that most anti-captivity groups pick up on is the 'immortal Shamu' trick. As previously mentioned, the real names of the whales are rarely revealed to the public by Sea World themselves. Killer whales all look the same to the untrained eye, and so when one Orca dies another can take on the role of 'Shamu', 'Namu', 'Kandu' or 'Baby Shamu' without the public being any wiser to the death of the whale. In 1989, when a killer whale had died at Sea World of Florida, a Sea World spokesman was asked whether Shamu had died that day. The Spokesman gave the reply, "Oh no - Shamu did not die today. A whale playing that role is lost, yes, but Shamu lives on."

Another reason for the 'Shamu' myth is business and publicity. The public are very familiar with the name 'Shamu' - indeed, I wanted to go and see the face behind the name before I even knew what a killer whale was! So, Shamu is a big crowd-puller. Her (or his, depending on what Sea World leaflet you read - Shamu appears to change sex quite frequently!) name is on most of Sea World's killer whale merchandise and lets the company charge that little bit extra on the object. You can get 'Shamu' postcards, towels, mugs, photos, flasks, hats, stickers...even 'Shamu' umbrellas! The name brings in the cash.

Sea World is the only marine park that uses the same names for all its whales to cover up Orca deaths. Some other parks use the same names again but use numerals after the name to differ. The anti-captivity groups have seized upon this and much is made of the fact in their campaigns. As for my opinion of the 'Shamu' myth, I think it is pathetic and unnecessary. The whales simply lose their identity and cannot be mourned or missed by the public. When one whale dies, there will be another to take its place and no one in the public will know"

Pretty good information too:thumb:

[grottyrotty]

:omg: :omg: :omg: :omg: :omg: :omg: :omg: :omg:

What do you mean THERE'S NO FATHER CHRISTMAS???????????????

Deb :wave:

ps - love the explanation about the surname/family name - well done you for quick thinking there :pgig: