Bingo

Bingo. Photo provided by hari-cam-aqua

## Family

### Calves

*Maggie's Calf (1995)*, *Maggie's Stillborn (1997)*, Lovey, Lara, *Sarah*, Ran II, Lynn

### Grand-Children

Earth, Luna

Bingo *(pronounced BEEN-go)*, or ビンゴ, also known as Thor, was an approximately 32-year-old male Icelandic killer whale who lived at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium. He was captured in November 1984 from Reydarfjordur, Iceland at approximately 2 years old. Bingo passed away due to pneumonia on August 2nd, 2014 at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium. During his life, Bingo was Japan's most successful breeding male, siring 7 calves.

## Capture & Early Life

Bingo was captured from Reydarfjördur, Iceland along with Kandu VII, Patty, Junior, and an unnamed male in November 1984. He was estimated to be 2 years old at his time of capture. While awaiting purchase at Saedyrasafnid Aquarium, the unnamed male died due to neck injuries in January 1985.

Finally in November of 1985, Bingo and Patty were moved to Kamogawa Sea World in Japan. Here they met a female named Caren, who lived there for 5 years before them.

Only two years later in 1987, both females had died, leaving Bingo alone.

## Life at Kamogawa Sea World

Shortly after his companions passed in 1987, four more young whales were transferred to the park in 1988 during the construction of a new tank. Bingo met Bubba, Maggie, Oscar, and Stella and shared a temporary holding tank with them. Bubba had was sold due to overcrowding in 1989.

The four remaining whales adjusted to performing at Kamogawa Sea World and in 1995, Maggie was pregnant with Bingo's first calf. The calf was a male, and though he was born alive, he died less than 24 hours after birth. After her loss, Maggie was soon pregnant once again by Bingo, and she gave birth to a stillborn in 1997. Maggie died only two days later, likely due to birth complications.

At the time, Stella was also pregnant with a calf, sired by Bingo. She gave birth to a healthy female on January 11th, 1998. She would later be named Lovey. In February of 2001, Stella gave birth to another of Bingo's calves. She was a female they would name Lara. Shortly after, Stella was pregnant once again with his calf. She gave birth to another female, Sarah, in May 2003. Stella was pregnant again, and she gave birth to another girl in February 2006, Ran II. Sadly, Sarah died a month before her third birthday in April of 2006. Bingo was introduced to all of his calves, and was extremely gentle towards them.

In 2007, Stella, Ran, and Bingo were moved to the back pool. In 2008, Lovey gave birth to her first calf, Earth, making Bingo a grandfather. In 2010, the decision was made to move Bingo to Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium to accompany Nami, however, this was postponed due to a tsunami.

### Behavioral Incidents

It is claimed that Bingo pushed his trainer under and through the water during a show in 2001, though there is no official source for this.

## Life at Port of Nagoya

Bingo arrived at Port of Nagoya on December 15th, 2011 along with Stella and Ran II. They were slowly introduced to the pool complex, and in November 2012, Stella gave birth to another calf. The little female would be named Lynn, Bingo's 7th and final calf.

### Death

Bingo died at Port of Nagoya on August 2nd, 2014 due to pneumonia.

## Galleries

* **Photos** of Bingo
* **Videos** of Bingo

## Transfer History

**Bingo's Transfer History**
 Saedyrasafnid, Iceland
 Kamogawa Sea World, Japan

## Trivia

* "Bingo" refers to a classic game of chance involving numbers. The first player to call out "Bingo!" wins.
* The name "Thor" refers to the Norse god of thunder, who was known for his strength and virility.