The State - News from Sept. 30, 1988

Nearly a week after the captive birth of a baby killer whale, the newborn’s sex was determined to be female, San Diego Sea World officials said. A male, which later could be used for breeding, would have been preferable because there is a shortage of them in captivity and whales no longer can be taken from the wild, but park officials nevertheless are happy. Meanwhile, veterinarians said Baby Shamu’s father, Orky, who died suddenly on Monday, suffered symptoms of old age. Orky’s age was estimated to be between 27 and 32, making him the oldest captive killer whale in North America, said Sea World curator Jim Antrim.