Morgan the orca is pregnant: Loro Parque in Spain announces joyful news
The rescued orca, who has lived at the Tenerife park since 2012, is expecting a calf
Morgan, the female orca who was rescued off the Dutch coast in 2010, is pregnant. Spain’s Loro Parque, her home since 2012, has confirmed the news, marking a significant moment in her journey.Morgan was found stranded and disoriented after losing her pod. Malnourished and weak, she was taken to the Netherlands for rehabilitation. However, once experts discovered she was profoundly deaf and unable to communicate with other orcas, it was ruled that she could not be released back into the wild. She was then relocated to Loro Parque, where she has been cared for ever since.
Her pregnancy was detected through routine health monitoring by the park’s veterinary team. While details about her gestation period or expected birth date have not been disclosed, the park has assured that Morgan is in good health and is receiving specialised care.
Loro Parque has shared the news as a positive milestone, highlighting the expertise of its team in caring for marine mammals. This marks an exciting and rare event, as 70 seventy orcas have been born in captivity worldwide since 1977. This figure excludes another thirty orcas that were stillborn or died in utero, according to records in two databases maintained by cetacean experts.
Cetaceans, which include orcas, dolphins and whales, are known for their highly developed brains and complex social structures. Orcas, in particular, have the second largest brains of any animal on Earth, with specialised areas for social intelligence, language and self-awareness.
In the wild, orcas live in close-knit family groups, passing down sophisticated cultural traditions. In captivity, however, orcas are kept in artificial social groups, which raises ethical questions about their wellbeing.
Of the 70 orcas born in captivity, 37 have passed away, including orcas like Kayla, a 30-year-old orca from SeaWorld Orlando. Orcas in the wild can live up to 50 or even 80 years, while those born in captivity face much shorter lifespans, with few surviving past the age of 30.
Morgan’s pregnancy, while a moment for celebration, brings renewed attention to the challenges orcas face in captivity. Loro Parque, for now, remains focused on ensuring the best possible care for Morgan throughout her pregnancy, as they continue to monitor the health and wellbeing of her and her unborn calf closely.
Image: Pixabay/Pexels
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