By Olivia Christie Published: 04:47 EDT, 22 August 2024 | Updated: 06:08 EDT, 22 August 2024
Heart-breaking footage shows a captive killer whale laying almost motionless whilst staring at the tank gate for 24 hours straight. Kshamenk, a 35-year-old Orca, is being held in a tiny pool at Mundo Marino, Argentina’s largest aquarium.Shocked visitors have accused the park of holding the killer whale in cramped conditions with restricted movement and in total isolation from its own species. A 24-hour timelapse filmed by campaign group UrgentSeas on August 12 shows Kshamenk languishing motionless with his face pointed directly towards the enclosure’s gate as though he’s asking to be let out.Kshamenk was first brought to Mundo Marino in 1992 after being captured off the Samborombón Bay on the coast of Buenos Aires. Kshamenk, a 35-year-old Orca, is being held in a tiny pool at Mundo Marino, Argentina’s largest aquarium A 24-hour timelapse filmed on August 12 shows Kshamenk languishing motionless with his face pointed directly towards the enclosure’s gate as though he’s asking to be let out Kshamenk was first brought to Mundo Marino (pictured) in 1992 after being captured off the Samborombón Bay on the coast of Buenos Aires A screen grab from the video shot by UrgentSeas that they then posted on social mediaAccording to the aquarium, the then three-year-old orca was found beached on the bay by three fishermen along with three other killer whales.Kshamenk was then taken to his concrete tank at the aquarium, where he has spent the last 32 years.His tankmate Belen died in 2000, at the age of 13, meaning that he has reportedly spent the last 24 years in total isolation from his own species.UrgentSeas, a non-profit organisation advocating to end marine captivity, is campaigning to free Kshamenk and bring him to an open sanctuary with other orcas to socialise with. He is now the last remaining captive killer whale in Argentina.A spokesperson from the organisation said: ‘We continue to work with Argentinian activists and members of Congress to try to highlight and address his cruel world.’He needs to be removed from his tiny concrete tank and to join other members of his species before it’s too late.’MailOnline has contacted Mundo Marino for comment.
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Heartbreaking timelapse video shows ‘world’s loneliest orca’ staring motionless at the gate of his tank ‘for 24 hours straight’ at Argentinian aquarium