Unna

Unna jumping. Photo provided by HaH.

### Half-Siblings

*Kalina*, *Katerina*, Kyuquot, *Nootka IV's Calf (1992)*, *Nyar*, *Nootka IV's Stillborn (1994)*, *Gudrun's Stillborn (1996)*, *Kalina's Stillborn (1997)*, *Sumar*, Tuar, Tekoa, *Haida II's Unborn Calf (2001)*, *Nakai*, *Kohana*, *Skyla*, *Taima's Miscarriage (2005)*, Nalani, Malia, Sakari, *Taima's Stillborn (2010)*

### Nieces & Nephews

Keet, Keto, *Kalina's Stillborn (1997)*, Tuar, *Skyla*, Kalia, *Halyn*, Trua, *Unna's Stillborn (2006)*, Nalani, *Kayla's Miscarriage (2007)*, Adán, *Victoria*, *Amaya*, *Kyara*, *Ula*

Unna *(pronounced OO-nah)* was an 18-year-old female Icelandic killer whale who lived at SeaWorld San Antonio. She was born tail-first on December 27th, 1996 at SeaWorld Orlando. Her mother was Katina and her father was Tilikum. Unna passed away on December 21st, 2015 after battling chronic systemic candidiasis.

## Birth & Early Life

On December 27th, 1996, Katina gave birth to her third daughter, a female named Unna. At SeaWorld Orlando, Unna was often grouped with her mother Katina, along with her nephew, Tuar, her older sister, Kalina, and her older brother, Taku. In 2002, Unna was moved to SeaWorld San Antonio following the birth of her younger brother, Ikaika, likely due to the lack of space and to help balance the social structure at the other park.

## Life at SeaWorld San Antonio

Upon her arrival at SeaWorld San Antonio, she was met with a broken pod-structure, with two of the dominant females, Haida II and Winnie, dying before her arrival. The current pod consisted of Kayla, a 14 year old female who was transferred there in 1999, Kyuquot, an 11 year old male who was the son of the deceased matriarch, and Keto, a 7 year old male who was moved there in 2001 for his disruptive behavior.

In April 2004, Unna would be reunited in San Antonio by her nephew, Tuar, and her half-brother, Tekoa. She would also meet her other nephew, Keet, for the first time. Keet would get along especially well with Kayla and he would end up siring her first calf, Halyn. Kayla gave birth on October 9th, 2005, but sadly rejected her calf due to her lack of experience. Halyn was handraised by the SeaWorld Staff and was often paired with Keet, who took on a brother-ly role.

In February 2006, Tekoa and Keto were transferred to a new marine park in Tenerife, Spain.

In November 2006, Unna was reunited with her older brother, Taku, when he was transferred to the park following the birth of Nalani. During the same month, Kayla was moved to SeaWorld Orlando while pregnant so she could learn how to care for calves with the help of the experienced females at the other park.

Though Taku fit in well with the pod, becoming close with Keet, he succumbed to pneumonia associated with the West Nile virus in October of 2007.

In June, 2008, Halyn would pass away suddenly from encephalitis. It is unknown if she ever interacted with Unna.

In February 2009, 17 year old pregnant female Takara was moved to SeaWorld San Antonio and she quickly took over as the matriarch.

Unna was known for being a great 'auntie' to Takara's calves. Despite showing good maternal instincts, she never gave birth to a live calf. In April 2006, Unna was performing in "Believe" when she expelled a deceased female calf. It is not known how far along she was. In 2009, she miscarried again, which may have led to the staff giving her birth control to prevent any further pregnancies.

## Death

Upon her arrival at SeaWorld San Antonio, she was met with a broken pod-structure, with two of the dominant females, Haida II and Winnie, dying before her arrival. The current pod consisted of Kayla, a 14 year old female who was transferred there in 1999, Kyuquot, an 11 year old male who was the son of the deceased matriarch, and Keto, a 7 year old male who was moved there in 2001 for his disruptive behavior.

In April 2004, Unna would be reunited in San Antonio by her nephew, Tuar, and her half-brother, Tekoa. She would also meet her other nephew, Keet, for the first time. Keet would get along especially well with Kayla and he would end up siring her first calf, Halyn. Kayla gave birth on October 9th, 2005, but sadly rejected her calf due to her lack of experience. Halyn was handraised by the SeaWorld Staff and was often paired with Keet, who took on a brother-ly role.

In February 2006, Tekoa and Keto were transferred to a new marine park in Tenerife, Spain.

In November 2006, Unna was reunited with her older brother, Taku, when he was transferred to the park following the birth of Nalani. During the same month, Kayla was moved to SeaWorld Orlando while pregnant so she could learn how to care for calves with the help of the experienced females at the other park.

Though Taku fit in well with the pod, becoming close with Keet, he succumbed to pneumonia associated with the West Nile virus in October of 2007.

In June, 2008, Halyn would pass away suddenly from encephalitis. It is unknown if she ever interacted with Unna.

In February 2009, 17 year old pregnant female Takara was moved to SeaWorld San Antonio and she quickly took over as the matriarch.

Unna was known for being a great 'auntie' to Takara's calves. Despite showing good maternal instincts, she never gave birth to a live calf. In April 2006, Unna was performing in "Believe" when she expelled a deceased female calf. It is not known how far along she was. In 2009, she miscarried again, which may have led to the staff giving her birth control to prevent any further pregnancies.

### Death

On December 21st, 2015, only 6 days before her 19th birthday, Unna succumbed to systemic candidiasis. Systemic candidiasis often occurs in individuals with weakened immune systems. If an individual's immune system is compromised due to stress, illness, or other factors such as antibiotic usage, they may become more susceptible to fungal infections like candidiasis. Candida is commonly present in the environment and on the skin and mucous membranes of animals.

## Personality

Despite being a fairly dominant whale, Unna was incredibly gentle with trainers and performed waterwork up until it was suspended in 2010.

## Trivia

* The name Unna is derived from Old Norse, meaning *"to love and adore."*

## Galleries

* **Photos** of Unna
* **Videos** of Unna