Rebecca Manzi Kshamenk dal 1992 vive confinato in una vasca minuscola esposta al sole dove nuota in cerchi stretti mostrando chiari segni di stress.
@urgentseas
Imagine spending your entire life confined in a tiny studio apartment without ever being able to leave. This is the reality for Kshamenk, a 32-year-old orca known as the “forgotten orca,” who has spent decades in an Argentine marine park, endlessly swimming in circles.
A Lifetime of captivity
Kshamenk’s current conditions are dire. Trapped in a small tank exposed to the sun, he has no choice but to swim in tight circles. Once a free orca born in the ocean, Kshamenk swam freely until he was about four years old.
In 1992, Kshamenk was captured along with other orcas and brought to Mundo Marino, an aquatic park in Argentina. Initially, he shared his tank with another orca named Belén. However, Belén died in 2000 under unclear circumstances, leaving Kshamenk alone.
For over 30 years, more than 20 of which have been in isolation, Kshamenk has been deprived of social interaction, which is crucial for such a highly social species. Drones operated by the animal rights organization PETA have captured distressing footage of Kshamenk’s monotonous life.
Unanswered protests for his transfer
His solitary confinement has led him to swim in circles repeatedly, highlighting the severe lack of stimulation in his environment. The footage and subsequent reports reveal the orca’s frustration and depression, conditions that continue to worsen, as shown in the latest viral video.
There have been numerous efforts to save Kshamenk, including protests and petitions. Advocates have called for his transfer to a sanctuary where he could receive proper care and rehabilitation. Despite significant public support, including a petition with nearly 12,000 signatures, Mundo Marino has resisted these efforts.
Mundo Marino’s stance
The park claims that Kshamenk is in good health and does not need to be moved. According to Mundo Marino, Kshamenk was rescued after stranding himself and could not be released back into the wild due to his dependence on human care.
Animal rights groups, however, dispute this claim, pointing to Kshamenk’s evident stress and health issues. Organizations such as Derechos Animales Marinos have documented Kshamenk’s health and behavioral problems.
Ethical concerns over exploitation
Since 2011, Kshamenk has been involved in a program with SeaWorld to collect his sperm, which is sold for artificial insemination experiments. This has raised further ethical concerns about his treatment and exploitation.
The fight for Kshamenk’s liberation continues, with activists pushing for legislation to end the exploitation of wild animals in marine parks. They aim to ensure that Kshamenk can spend his remaining days in a more natural environment.
