September 26th is Shamu the Whale Day

September 26 annually celebrates National Shamu the Whale Day.

Shamu is the name that is used for several of the SeaWorld orca shows and it is the stage name that is given to the “star” of those shows, beginning with the original Shamu in the late 1960′s.   Shamu died in 1971, however the name Shamu was trademarked by SeaWorld and has been given to different orcas at different times when performing in Shamu shows in different SeaWorld parks.

*************************************************************************************

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WILD ORCAS (killer whales):

* Female orcas can live to 90 years.  Male orcas can live to 60 years.

* On average, a killer whale eats 500 pounds a day.

* Killer whales imitate others, and seem to deliberately teach skills to their kin