SeaWorld and its former star killer whale Shamu are shrouded in controversy, largely thanks to the 2013 Netflix exposé “Blackfish.” In the documentary, former trainers spoke out against the marine park and the scandals it has attempted to cover up.
Since then, celebrities have condemned SeaWorld, consumers have begun to turn their backs on cetacean captivity, and profits and ticket sales have dropped. But for better or worse, the marine park wouldn’t be where it is today without Shamu, its most famous killer whale.
The original Shamu was the fourth orca SeaWorld ever captured. She lived in SeaWorld San Diego in the 1960s, where she performed tricks for audiences.