Orca Encounter 2.0 (Full Show) – SeaWorld San Diego – Nove mber 8, 2025

Our world as one interconnected ocean. A vast blue expanse critical to life on earth. There is no better animal to represent the story of the ocean with all its splendor and uncertainty than the killer whale. They live in every corner of the ocean from the arctic to the atlantic from southern and indian to the mighty pacific and beyond. The killer whale story is the ocean story and it's one we all share. We are one world united by our ocean. Three members of our killer whale family demonstrating incredible size speed strength Now these behaviors they keep our whales active and engaged. In fact seaman's killer whales have inspired generations of guests. I'm so excited to have you learn more about them today. Now as trainers we spend years building relationships with our whales to ultimately build trust to provide optimal health care research and quality of life. But what a cool you can take an active role in their own health care and well-being through husbandry and medical behaviors. One of the first husbandry behaviors that will teach your whales is a flu present and you can see this now on screen. A flu present allows our veterinarians to get a blood sample from the veins on the underside of the whale's heel notes. We do this about once a month and a blood sample is just one of many ways we're able to ensure the whales are staying healthy. Another important health care behavior is to monitor the whale's weights. We'll ask the whales to slide up on a giant killer whale size scale and lift their tailboats high out of the water so we can get an accurate weight. This behavior is a great example of the purpose behind our training program. Some behaviors like this slide out are indeed visually stunning. However the true reason why it's slide out is trained is so we can monitor the whale's while also ask them to do high energy powerful behaviors like breaches and jumps out of the water which make for great exercise. In fact all the behaviors that you'll see here today contribute to keeping the whales healthy and we strive to achieve this through diet, exercise, lots of love and play and the whales sure do love to play. We learn what they like and how they enjoy interacting not only with other members of the pod but with each one of us. Playtime is a fun way for us to continue to build our bond with new whales who enjoy sharing toys and enrichment to learn how to have some fun here with you. In fact killer whales all around the world to catch the prey of choice. They'll use their powerful tail flukes to stun their prey making it much easier to catch. Killer whales off the coast of South America will capture sea lions by pulling them right off the beach. In natural athletic behavior seeing killer whales is the ability to teach themselves to ride and free into the water. Swans after marine mammals will let their voices come to us. We also see killer whales foraging in the wake of a boat or surfing a wake. Arctic orcas will attempt to seal by creating large waves of a wash overflowing blocks of ice knocking the seal into the water. Now this is incredible to witness however you truly can't imagine the amount of water displaced until you've experienced it first hand. Luckily I got two brave volunteers and I volunteered to feel the power of the wave by the killer whales. Please put your hands together for Nathan and for Michael. You're going to be our seals and you're going to take us on an iceberg here and you're going to hold on very very tightly because in a few moments you're about to get met with about five to six thousand pounds of chuka and she is coming your way. I recommend holding on very tight because you're about to get a whole lot of chuka for you and she's coming. You come that way. These actronic behaviors you just witnessed are only a fraction of some of the skill and teamwork used by killer whales. They'll use their powerful tail flukes to stun their prey. However today I got a feeling that they might be stunning all of you and that means it's time. Killer whales are across the band. This video is a political food source and a clean environment. They are completely dominant yet completely dependent. When it comes down to it, killer whales are not the most tolerant. Their future depends on you, through your actions, through the choices we all make. We hold the future of killer whales and the ocean in our hands. The ocean needs our help and that can seem overwhelming but together we can make a change. Much to learn. So much to explore. So much to protect. The ocean is facing significant changes but don't give up. Be inspired. The killer whale story is still being written. And there's simple things we can all do to make a difference. All it takes is one. One positive act. One group that can grow and grow and change the world. Together we got it. This is the first presentation of the day so let me hear you for one final high energy exercise session with Shuka and Orbeez. So ladies and gentlemen for your safety and the safety of our other guests we kind