Shamu and other killer whales with the same name (Shamu’s mother, Katina, also played Shamu in the shows at Sea World Florida) entertained millions at Sea World parks and at other ocean-life parks throughout the world. The giant, but seemingly gentle, creatures gave rides to their trainers. They let children pet them and feed them. Shamu was even known to give a visitor a sloppy, wet kiss.

The original Shamu ... her real name is Kalina ... moved to Sea World Texas, where she met the father of her calf Kito. She moved back to Sea World Florida to have her baby. It was there that Baby Shamu often performed with his mother.

Seaworld began phasing out the whale shows in early 2017 after a trainer at the Orlando park was drowned by a killer whale. The death brought on widespread criticism that led to the cancelling of the shows. However, some good came from this tragedy, as all Sea World Parks have orca whale presentations that depict the magnificent creatures not as entertainers and circus performers, but as teachers -- educating audiences about their natural behavior in the wild. And, if you are lucky enough to see the killer whale breach, you will still be in awe!