Some killer whales have become famous when they'vebeen caught in fishing nets. Others have become famous because theyhave been kept in captivity for a long time. Here is some informationabout three famous killer whales.

SHAMU

Shamu is an orca whale that performs at Sea World.Shamu was the first baby whale born successfully in captivity. Thefirst Shamu was born in 1965. When one Shamu get sick or dies, theyname another whale Shamu and it performs in its place.

Today Shamu is 25 feet long and 6000 pounds. Shelives in Bush Gardens Sea World. In Sea World they breed Shamu's soif the mother dies the baby will be the next Shamu. Shamu's trainerssay Shamu needs a lot of care and training. Shamu can be dangerous sothe trainers encourage Shamu to be gentle. They say if they just gaveShamu fish she wouldn't be too happy. Shamu's trainers play withShamu a lot.

KEIKO

Keiko is 9,620 pounds and lives in Newport, Oregonin more than 12,000 gallons of water. His trainers are Peter Noah,Karen McRae, & others. Earlier this summer Keiko got a very badinfection from his tank water. His water was changed and now he isfine. Keiko is the whale that you saw in the Free Willymovies.

NAMU

In 1965 two Canadian fisherman caught an orca bymistake. This orca was sold to the Seattle Aquarium. When thiscaptured orca, later named Namu, was being towed through the water toSeattle a pod of orcas came and attacked the cage. They had heardNamu's cry for help. During the first two weeks of Namu's stay at theSeattle Aquarium he had 120,000 visitors. Namu was the first famousorca that people could go see in an oceanarium.

There are lots of other famous whales that wehaven't mentioned like Corky and Splash. So if you want to know moreabout famous killer whales go to your library and ask about famouskiller whales.