Shamu died in a widely reported incident in August 1971 at SeaWorld San Diego, when the female orna captured in 1965, died after a procedure in which anesthetists mistakenly allowed her to sink below the surface and she sustained injuries on pool gates while being rolled into a vertical position. Key details include her capture name, Kalina 1, from the Southern Resident A4 pod, known as the iconic first performing Shamu, and her death circumstances involving complications from anesthesia and equipment during handling, which led to changes in marine mammal care protocols. This verified explainer outlines the facts, context, and legacy of the original Shamu.
