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Black and white cetaceans

These aren't mine

The Last Flight

Katina... It feels very surreal to be posting a tribute to her. Though I didn't have the privilege of visiting her often, she was ever-present in my life one way or another, be it the countless photos and videos by park regulars, old killer whale documentaries, stock images and at some for a few years,a promotional image of her and her son, Taku.

December 21st, 2015, was the day I first and last saw killer whales in person at SeaWorld Orlando. It changed my perspective, so much, especially for captive individuals who are frequently portrayed as these mega aggressive creatures. For me, the highlight of that trip was getting to see Katina and most of the Orlando pod before and after One Ocean, just being themselves. That's not to say that their unique personalities don't shine during the shows. Of course, they offer one aspect in what behaviors they prefer to do, with Katina being the one with the most energy, jumping so high you could've sworn she'd fly away at any minute. But with that said, in between performances is when the whales just, for lack of a better term, vibe. I almost wish there was a hydrophone and a live cam in the show pool just to get a full view of what was going on. I just remember Katina, Kayla, Nalani, Malia and Makaio swimming together as a pod, at times spyhopping and engaging in some interesting behaviors on the surface.

On December 21st, 2025, the very day that I was reminiscing about the 10th year anniversary of that experience, rumors started to pop up that Katina had died. As with any whale death, I didn't want this to be true, but unfortunately, it was. At an estimated 50 years old, Katina passed away due to declining health. To say that this is absolutely devastating is an understatement, as so many whales and people have gotten to know her so well for so many decades. She had been a constant presence in this world and will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to the Orlando pod, her caretakers, and everyone who got to know her one way or another. It's gonna be difficult to accept a world without this wonderful whale.