Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium Orcas
Introduction
The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is a popular tourist destination located in the city of Nagoya, Japan. The aquarium is home to a wide variety of marine life, including dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles. However, one of the main attractions of the aquarium is their orca exhibit.
History of the Orca Exhibit
The orca exhibit at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium opened in 1994. The aquarium was the first in Japan to house orcas, and the exhibit quickly became a popular attraction. The aquarium's orcas, Stella and Lovey, were captured off the coast of Iceland in the 1980s.
The orca exhibit at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium has been controversial, with many animal rights activists criticizing the captivity of these intelligent and social animals. However, the aquarium has defended their practices, stating that they provide top-quality care for their animals.
The Orcas
The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium currently has two orcas on display, Stella and Lovey. Stella is a female orca who was born in 1985, while Lovey is a male orca who was born in 1987. Both orcas are Icelandic and were captured from the wild in the 1980s.
Stella and Lovey are trained to perform a variety of behaviors, including jumps, tail slaps, and vocalizations. The aquarium holds several shows each day where visitors can watch the orcas perform.
The Controversy
The captivity of orcas has been a controversial issue for many years. Animal rights activists argue that orcas are highly intelligent and social animals that suffer in captivity. They point to incidents such as the 1991 death of a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando who was killed by an orca as evidence that keeping these animals in captivity is dangerous.
The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium has defended their practices, stating that they provide top-quality care for their animals. They argue that their orcas are well-cared for and that they play an important role in educating the public about marine life.
Conclusion
The orca exhibit at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium continues to be a popular attraction for visitors. While there is controversy surrounding the captivity of these animals, the aquarium has defended their practices and continues to provide top-quality care for their orcas.
