Bay City News Service—Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo lost one of its star attractions Monday when Shouka the killer whale was flown to her new home in San Diego, park officials said.
Shouka was relocated to Sea World in San Diego to live with other orcas, as the whales are social animals that require companionship. Previously, Shouka had been living with a male Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, but the two were eventually separated because of compatibility problems. After searching for a suitable companion for Shouka, park officials eventually decided that it would be best for her to be relocated to San Diego where she could live with other killer whales.
"We have long understood and recognized the need to pair Shouka with a suitable companion as orcas are highly social mammals," said Michael Muraco, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom animal care director. "While we are pleased about her new environment, it is very difficult for us to say farewell to a beloved animal that has touched millions of people during her life here," he said.
Shouka was born in France 19 years ago and came to Vallejo from Six Flags Worlds of Adventures in 2004 as part of the Flying Ark, an aircraft that transported fish and marine mammals from Cleveland, Ohio to California.
The Shouka Stadium venue will be temporarily closed while the park decides on a new attraction to feature at the site.
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