Taku: The World's Greatest Orca

About Taku: The World's Greatest Orca

Taku was born tail first at 21:15 EDT, after a painful 59 minute labour to a well experienced female orca, Katina. She was a wonderful mother to him and the two became really close. Taku was a fast learner and soon joined his mother in shows. He turned out to be a great performer and was often used in shows. As the time passed by, he met a new female who just transferrred from Sea World San Diego, Takara, who he was very fond of and followed her everywhere; 18 months later she gave birth to his first offspring, Trua.
Taku was one of the biggest maturing orcas. In 2003 he became larger; his pectoral fins grew, his dorsal collapsed over his left side and his flukes curl up. Despite his age, he was really close to his mother and also really dependant on her, till the day he was moved away from her. The reason for the transfer was probably because Taku’s daughter Nalani, who was born to Katina, Taku’s mother.
Later at SWT, he fit in well and was the star performer along with Keet. They both did waterworks with their trainers. Taku never hurt one of his trainers and was just involved in one incident because of overexitement. Due to his attentive and gentle personality, he was a great candidate for waterworks and soon developed a close relationship to his trainers. In October 2007 he became ill and suddlenly died on October 17.
Taku means "Small, young" in Japanese
Pronunciation of Taku: "TAH-koo"
Blood Type: 100% Icelandic
(All info from Cetacean Cousins)

http://www.orcahome.de/taku.htm