Skyla

Skyla jumping. Photo provided by Diva Flora Nikolova.

### Half-Siblings

Kyuquot, *Nootka IV's Calf (1992)*, Keet, *Taku*, *Nyar*, *Nootka IV's Stillborn (1994)*, *Gudrun's Stillborn (1996)*, Keto, *Unna*, *Sumar*, Tekoa, *Haida II's Unborn Calf (2001)*, *Nakai*, *Kohana*, Ikaika, *Taima's Miscarriage (2005)*, Malia, Sakari, *Taima's Stillborn (2010)*, Makaio

### Aunts & Uncles

*Baby Shamu II*, *Kandu V's Stillborn (1986)*, *Katerina*, *Taku*, *Unna*, Ikaika, Nalani, Makaio

### Nieces & Nephews

Kalia, *Halyn*, Trua, *Unna's Stillborn (2006)*, Nalani, *Kayla's Miscarriage (2007)*, *Unna's Miscarriage (2009)*, Adán, *Victoria*, *Amaya*, *Kyara*, *Ula*

### Cousins

Trua, *Unna's Stillborn (2006)*, Nalani

Skyla *(pronounced SKY-lah)* was a 17 year old female killer whale who lived at Loro Parque. She was born tail-first at 10:10 PM EST at SeaWorld Orlando on February 9th, 2004. She was the daughter of Kalina and Tilikum, as well as Kalina's only daughter and last calf. At only 2 years old, Skyla was separated from her mother and moved to Loro Parque. She died on March 11th, 2021,  from blood poisoning caused by a twisted intestine.

## Birth & Early Life

Skyla was born at SeaWorld Orlando to Kalina and Tilikum. At that time, seven killer whales were already living at the park. They were Kalina and Tilikum, her full brother Tuar, half-brothers Taku and Tekoa, her uncle Ikaika, and an unrelated female named Taima. Skyla was described as independent and got along with Ikaika from a young age. She also frequently spent time with her mother, Kalina.

## Life at SeaWorld Orlando

When Skyla was two months old, Tekoa was moved to SeaWorld San Antonio and a young female killer whale named Kohana arrived at SeaWorld Orlando to take his place. Skyla and Kohana quickly got along and eventually formed a close bond with one another. Skyla's chapter at SeaWorld Orlando was short, as she was moved to Loro Parque with Kohana just a few days after her second birthday.

## Life at Loro Parque

Four days after Skyla's second birthday, on February 13th, 2006, Skyla and Kohana were separated from the rest of the SeaWorld Orlando whales and transferred to Loro Parque as a part of a breeding loan agreement between SeaWorld and Loro Parque. Upon arrival at the park, Skyla and Kohana joined Keto and Tekoa, two other whales who were coming from SeaWorld San Antonio. Skyla had previously briefly lived with Tekoa at SeaWorld Orlando but had never met Keto before. Despite the fact that Skyla was related to both Keto and Tekoa, SeaWorld still decided to send her to Loro Parque. Since all four whales were separated from their mothers at a young age, the social structure within the pod became unstable and behavioral issues were frequently observed. Whilst Kohana took on the role of matriarch, the social structure remained unchanged for many years. Waterworks were frequently performed at the park, however, after an incident occurred where Skyla pushed her trainer up against a wall during a session, she was no longer allowed to participate in them.

On October 13th, 2010, Kohana gave birth to her first calf, a male who was given the name Adán. Kohana rejected him shortly after birth and he had to be hand-reared by the trainers at Loro Parque. Despite being rejected by his mother, Adán spent a lot of time with Kohana and Skyla once he was introduced to them.

In November of 2011, a female killer whale arrived at Loro Parque. The female, named Morgan, had been found stranded and emaciated in Ameland in the Netherlands in 2010. Morgan came from Dolfinarium Harderwijk, where she had spent the previous year in rehabilitation. Skyla, along with Adán, were the first whales to be introduced to Morgan.

## Death

On March 12th, 2021, Loro Parque announced that Skyla had passed away unexpectedly the night before. She had been in perfect condition until the day prior to her death, when she began to show signs of discomfort. Loro Parque's veterinarians immediately began assessing and treating her discomfort, but she ultimately passed away on March 11th. A necropsy was preformed which revealed her cause of death to be blood poisoning as a result of a twisted intestine.

## Behavioral Incidents

* Sometime in the spring of 2009, Skyla pushed her trainer up against a pool wall while performing waterworks during a public show. After this incident, waterworks with Skyla were no longer permitted.

## Galleries

* **Photos** of Skyla
* **Videos** of Skyla

## References

1. ↑ "Loro Parque's Statement" (03/12/21)
2. ↑ "Loro Parque's Statement" (03/15/21)
3. ↑ https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/adventure-blood-water/