Latest news with #Kiska
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Who is Kiska, the Orca? Jessica Radclifee Orca Attack Viral Video brings Kiska to limelight. Here's sordid tale of loneliest whale in world
Who is Kiska, the Orca? Jessica Radclifee's orca attack viral video brings Kiska to limelight. Read about the sordid tale of the loneliest whale in the world. Kiska, an orca once called the 'loneliest whale in the world,' spent over four decades in captivity at MarineLand in Niagara Falls, Canada. Her life story highlights the realities of keeping marine mammals in amusement parks and the lasting impact of isolation on such social animals. Kiska's Capture and Early Life Kiska was captured from the coast of Iceland in 1979 when she was about three years old. She was moved to MarineLand, where she remained until her death. In the wild, orcas live in large pods, but Kiska's ocean life ended when she was taken from her family and placed in a confined tank. Attempts to Find Companionship for Kiska In the early 2000s, MarineLand sought a male orca to pair with Kiska. They reached an agreement with SeaWorld, which sent Ikaika, a four-year-old male orca, in exchange for three beluga whales. Ikaika joined Kiska and another female orca, Nootka. However, Ikaika developed behavioural and health problems common in captive orcas. He became aggressive, often biting and attacking Kiska. His condition worsened, and in 2009, SeaWorld requested his return for better care. MarineLand initially refused, leading to a legal battle. SeaWorld won, and Ikaika was flown back to California. Kiska's Life in Isolation After Nootka's death, Kiska was left alone. She became known worldwide as 'the loneliest whale.' Kiska gave birth to five calves over the years, but none survived. Visitors often saw her engaging in repetitive and abnormal behaviours, such as swimming in circles, floating motionless, and banging her head against her tank walls. Live Events Impact of Canada's Captivity Ban on Kiska In 2019, Canada passed a law banning the breeding and captivity of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. However, the law allowed animals already in captivity to remain there. This meant Kiska continued living alone in her tank, with no chance of release. Kiska's Death in 2023 Orcas are highly social and thrive in the vast spaces of the ocean. Kiska spent her last years in isolation, showing visible signs of distress. Despite ongoing calls for her release, she remained in MarineLand until her death in 2023 at the age of 47. Her story became a symbol of the debate over marine mammal captivity. FAQs Who was Kiska the orca ? Kiska was the last captive killer whale in Canada, held at MarineLand, Niagara Falls, from 1979 until her death in 2023. She was nicknamed the 'loneliest whale.' Why was Kiska called the loneliest whale? Kiska lived alone for over a decade after other orcas in MarineLand died or were moved. She showed signs of stress and isolation, sparking global concern over her captivity.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jessica Radcliffe orca attack video confirmed as fake; attention turns to the Kiska the world's loneliest whale story - here's what you need to know
A recent viral video claiming to show marine trainer Jessica Radcliffe being fatally attacked by an orca during a live performance sparked widespread outrage and concern. The footage, shared extensively on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X, depicted a dramatic and shocking scene. However, investigations revealed that the video was entirely AI-generated, and the events depicted were completely fictional. Despite its virality, fact-checking organizations, news outlets, and marine authorities confirmed that no such incident occurred, and there is no credible evidence of a marine trainer named Jessica Radcliffe. The voices in the video were also artificially synthesized, further confirming the fabrication. Jessica Radcliffe orca attack viral video : The truth behind the online sensation The video portrayed a marine trainer named Jessica Radcliffe performing with an orca at the fictional "Pacific Blue Marine Park." In the footage, the orca allegedly attacks and kills Radcliffe during the performance. However, investigations confirmed that the video is a hoax created using AI-generated images and voices. There is no record of a marine trainer named Jessica Radcliffe, and the incident never occurred as reported by various news sources. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo Experts identified several indicators that the video was artificially created: Inconsistent visuals: The orca's movements and the trainer's interactions were unnatural and lacked the fluidity typical of real-life performances. Synthetic audio: The voices in the video exhibited unnatural pauses and intonations characteristic of AI-generated speech. Fictional setting: The "Pacific Blue Marine Park" does not exist, and no credible sources reported such an incident. These elements collectively point to the video being a deliberate fabrication designed to deceive viewers. Inside the dark world of orcas: Fatal trainer attacks and all about world's loneliest whale Kiska While the Jessica Radcliffe incident is fictional, there have been real cases of orca attacks on trainers. One notable example is the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau at SeaWorld Orlando in 2010 as reported by . Brancheau was killed by the orca Tilikum during a performance, which sparked widespread debate about the ethics of keeping orcas in captivity. The viral video also drew attention to Kiska, an orca who spent over 40 years in captivity, primarily at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada. Known as the "world's loneliest orca," Kiska lived alone for the final 12 years of her life after the death of her last companion. She passed away in March 2023 from a bacterial infection. Kiska: Canada's last captive orca and the world's loneliest whale Kiska, the last orca in captivity in Canada, lived her entire adult life at Marineland, a marine amusement park in Niagara Falls. Widely known as the world's loneliest whale, Kiska became the focus of global outrage when a 2021 video showed her repeatedly banging her head against the walls of her tank, highlighting the psychological toll of captivity. Public appeals for her release spread widely, though she never returned to the ocean. Kiska early life Kiska was captured from Icelandic waters in 1979 at just three years old. Her free life in the open ocean was abruptly replaced with human-imposed captivity that would last until her death at the age of 46. After her capture, she was transferred to Marineland, where she would spend the next four decades. In the early 2000s, Marineland sought a male partner for Kiska. SeaWorld agreed to send their male orca, Ikaika, who was four years old, in exchange for three beluga whales. Ikaika was introduced to Kiska and another female orca, Nootka, in an effort to provide social interaction and companionship. Kiska's life of isolation and struggle in captivity Kiska's life in captivity was fraught with difficulties. Ikaika developed behavioral and health problems common in captive orcas, becoming aggressive and biting Kiska. By 2009, SeaWorld requested his return to provide better care, leading to a legal dispute with Marineland. SeaWorld ultimately won, and Ikaika was returned to California. Around the same time, Nootka passed away, leaving Kiska entirely alone. She became widely known as 'the loneliest whale in the world.' During her life, Kiska gave birth to five calves, all of whom died at a young age. Observers frequently noted abnormal behaviors in Kiska, such as repetitive swimming in circles, floating lifelessly, or banging her head against the tank walls. These behaviors were indicative of stress, boredom, and lack of stimulation—a stark contrast to life in the wild, where orcas swim tens of miles per day and interact socially with their pods. Kiska's final years and the end of orca captivity in Canada In 2019, Canada passed legislation banning the breeding and captivity of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. However, animals already in captivity, including Kiska, were required to remain in their tanks. This law highlighted the challenges of correcting decades of captivity while underscoring the loneliness and suffering experienced by Kiska, who never returned to the ocean. Kiska passed away in 2023 at the age of 47. Orcas are highly social creatures, and despite widespread appeals for her release, Kiska spent her final days isolated, floating lifelessly, or banging her head against the tank walls. Her life serves as a sobering reminder of the cruelty and ethical dilemmas of keeping intelligent marine mammals in captivity. Kiska deserved to live in the ocean with her family, but instead became an emblem of the consequences of human entertainment on wild animals. Why Kiska was called the world's loneliest whale Kiska was called the world's loneliest whale because she spent her final 12 years completely alone at Marineland, Canada. After the deaths and removal of her tankmates, she had no social interaction—an unnatural condition for orcas, which are highly social animals living in pods in the wild. Her repetitive behaviors, like swimming in circles, floating listlessly, and banging her head against the tank walls, highlighted the stress and isolation caused by captivity. 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Economic Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
As Jessica Radcliffe orca attack mystery unfolds, spotlight turns to 'Kiska', the world's loneliest killer whale
Synopsis A viral AI-generated video falsely depicted a killer whale attacking a marine trainer named Jessica Radcliffe, sparking outrage online. Fact-checks confirmed the video's fabrication, revealing no evidence of the incident or Radcliffe's existence. Amid Jessica Radcliffe orca attack mystery, attention has turned to Kiska, also known as "the loneliest whale in the world". Kiska, the last captive killer whale in Canada, was known as the loneliest whale in the world Social media has been flooded with dramatic videos of a killer whale, orca, supposedly attacking and killing marine trainer Jessica Radcliffe during a live show. The alleged incident, captured in the now viral video, triggered shock and outrage. However, later it turned out that the video was AI-generated. The video purportedly shows Jessica Radcliffe being fatally attacked by an orca, also known as the killer whale, during a live show and went viral on TikTok, Facebook and X. However, multiple fact-checking sources have confirmed that the footage is entirely fabricated and has no basis in being shared widely, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that a marine trainer named Jessica Radcliffe was attacked by a killer whale. Authorities, marine parks and established news outlets have found no record of her existence or the incident. According to a report in The Star, the footage is fictional; even the voices in the clip appear to be artificially generated. ALSO READ: Millions of US citizens to receive $1,390 stimulus soon? Check if you qualify and when to expect it As the AI-generated video went viral online, people were quick to find out interesting facts about orcas and marine life and how these captivities led to real-life incidents. By now, many of us know the story or Orca or killer whales, the powerful apex predators. But many of us don't know about Kiska, the loneliest killer whale in the world. Kiska, the last captive killer whale in Canada, was known as the loneliest whale in the world. She spent the past 12 years completely isolated from any other species and ultimately died in her concrete prison on the 10th of March 2023. Kiska resided at Marineland, a zoo and amusement park in Niagara Falls, after being captured in Icelandic waters in 1979, according to CBC. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said Kiska "spent her final years isolated in a cramped tank, swimming in endless circles or sometimes floating listlessly."ALSO READ: Jessica Radcliffe orca attack triggers massive buzz: Five astonishing facts about Orcas you never knew Kiska's life of continued isolation led the Whale Sanctuary Project to describe her as "the loneliest whale in the world." Both animal rights groups reported that Kiska died of a bacterial infection. According to Orca Legacy, Kiska was captured in the North Atlantic ocean near Iceland in 1979 and after a short stay in an Icelandic aquarium she was sold to MarineLand Canada. ALSO READ: Rabbits with 'tentacle, horns' spark concern in US as it has no cure and can be 'cancerous'. What should you do? Between 1992 and 2004, Kiska gave birth to 5 calves; Kanuck, Nova, Hudson, Athena and her firstborn, who died too young to receive a name. Kiska underwent several hardships while residing at the amusement park, according to PETA as none of her calves lived longer than a few years, the report animal rights organisation claimed Kiska also lost its sole tankmate, Ikaika, in 2011. Footage of Kiska purportedly slamming her face against her tank multiple times also began circulating on social media in 2021. From 2011 until 2023, all Kiska could do was stare at the emptiness of the inside of her June 2019, the Canadian Parliament passed Bill S-203, known as the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, officially making Kiska the final orca to ever live in captivity in Canada.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
As Jessica Radcliffe orca attack mystery unfolds, spotlight turns to 'Kiska', the world's loneliest killer whale
Social media has been flooded with dramatic videos of a killer whale, orca, supposedly attacking and killing marine trainer Jessica Radcliffe during a live show. The alleged incident, captured in the now viral video, triggered shock and outrage. However, later it turned out that the video was AI-generated. The video purportedly shows Jessica Radcliffe being fatally attacked by an orca, also known as the killer whale, during a live show and went viral on TikTok, Facebook and X. However, multiple fact-checking sources have confirmed that the footage is entirely fabricated and has no basis in fact. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Despite being shared widely, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that a marine trainer named Jessica Radcliffe was attacked by a killer whale. Authorities, marine parks and established news outlets have found no record of her existence or the incident. According to a report in The Star, the footage is fictional; even the voices in the clip appear to be artificially generated. ALSO READ: Millions of US citizens to receive $1,390 stimulus soon? Check if you qualify and when to expect it As the AI-generated video went viral online, people were quick to find out interesting facts about orcas and marine life and how these captivities led to real-life incidents. By now, many of us know the story or Orca or killer whales, the powerful apex predators. But many of us don't know about Kiska , the loneliest killer whale in the world. Meet Kiska, loneliest killer whale Kiska, the last captive killer whale in Canada, was known as the loneliest whale in the world. She spent the past 12 years completely isolated from any other species and ultimately died in her concrete prison on the 10th of March 2023. Live Events Kiska resided at Marineland, a zoo and amusement park in Niagara Falls, after being captured in Icelandic waters in 1979, according to CBC. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said Kiska "spent her final years isolated in a cramped tank, swimming in endless circles or sometimes floating listlessly." ALSO READ: Jessica Radcliffe orca attack triggers massive buzz: Five astonishing facts about Orcas you never knew Kiska's life of continued isolation led the Whale Sanctuary Project to describe her as "the loneliest whale in the world." Both animal rights groups reported that Kiska died of a bacterial infection. According to Orca Legacy , Kiska was captured in the North Atlantic ocean near Iceland in 1979 and after a short stay in an Icelandic aquarium she was sold to MarineLand Canada. ALSO READ: Rabbits with 'tentacle, horns' spark concern in US as it has no cure and can be 'cancerous'. What should you do? Between 1992 and 2004, Kiska gave birth to 5 calves; Kanuck, Nova, Hudson, Athena and her firstborn, who died too young to receive a name. Kiska underwent several hardships while residing at the amusement park, according to PETA as none of her calves lived longer than a few years, the report mentioned. The animal rights organisation claimed Kiska also lost its sole tankmate, Ikaika, in 2011. Footage of Kiska purportedly slamming her face against her tank multiple times also began circulating on social media in 2021. From 2011 until 2023, all Kiska could do was stare at the emptiness of the inside of her tank. In June 2019, the Canadian Parliament passed Bill S-203, known as the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, officially making Kiska the final orca to ever live in captivity in Canada.
Global News
19-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Marineland looking to sell amusement rides as Ontario park ‘evolves'
Marineland, one of Canada's most popular aquatic amusement parks, is looking to sell its rides. A news release published Tuesday in a U.S. trade publication indicates Rides Plus, LLC and another party are assisting Marineland with the sale of its rides, making them available for purchase by amusement operators, entertainment companies and other qualified buyers. 'For decades, Marineland has been home to a collection of beloved rides that have brought joy to millions of guests,' the release reads. 'As the park evolves, it is now offering buyers the opportunity to own a piece of amusement park history. The sale includes a range of classic attractions, from thrill rides to family-friendly favorites.' 2:10 Marineland fined in 'landmark' ruling regarding 3 black bears Marineland, which opened in 1961 in Niagara Falls, Ont., has been beleaguered as of late and has yet to announce if it will open this year. Story continues below advertisement Traditionally, the park would be open from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving. Last year, Marineland announced it would open for July and August. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Earlier this year, Niagara Falls approved an application by Marineland to sever its property so it can raise money to move its animals and operate the park. A lawyer for Marineland told The Canadian Press in February that the park had not yet been sold, and money was needed for operations and to help fund a move of its remaining marine mammals, which include 31 beluga whales. Marineland was founded by John Holer, who came to Canada from Slovenia. He and his wife, Marie, operated the park for decades. Marie took over the tourist attraction in 2018 after John's death. In 2023, Marineland said it was looking for a new owner to help transition the park to a new era. The park said last year that the transition to new ownership was ongoing, but did not provide details. Property records last summer showed no change in hands, The Canadian Press reported. 2:20 Scaled down marineland opens without rides, animals Marie's death was announced last September, and the future of the park has remained in doubt since. Story continues below advertisement Over the years, millions flocked to the park to see killer whales put on big shows with bigger splashes. There were also dolphins, seals, sea lions and, eventually, beluga whales, along with a wide variety of land animals. The park attracted a lot of criticism from protesters over the years, with many concerned about the well-being of the marine mammals kept in captivity. Seventeen whales have died at Marineland since 2019, including its last killer whale and the last captive orca in Canada, Kiska, which died in 2023. Ontario's animal cruelty investigators have been investigating the park since 2020. Marineland has long defended its treatment of its animals and says the deaths are part of the natural cycle of life. — with files from The Canadian Press
