Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a killer whale that was involved in the deaths of three people (Picture: Supplied)

Blackfish – described as more psychological thriller than documentary – is released in select UK and Irish theatres this month. Here are six things you need to know about the apex predator….

1. They’re not really whales

Orcas, like sperm whales, actually belong to the dolphin family. They are classed as ‘toothed whales’ as they have teeth, unlike their more distant ‘true’ whale cousins such as the blue and humpback. They also only have one blowhole, while true whales have two. Their other family name – blackfish – is no more accurate (they are mammals).

2. They’re not killers

Not in the human sense, anyway. Although they have long been the object of fear in marine mythology, attacks on humans in the wild are extremely rare, and almost always assumed to be playfulness, curiosity or mistaken identity, and never aggression. There has never been a documented fatal orca attack on a human in the wild. The only documented fatal orca attacks on humans have occurred in captivity.



3. Well, one of them is

Of the four documented fatal attacks on humans, one orca was responsible for three of them. Tilikum, the subject of the film Blackfish, was one of three orcas that killed a trainer who slipped into their tank in Canada in 1991. In 1999, after he was moved to SeaWorld, a man who snuck into the park at night was found dead in his tank, while in 2010 he dragged one of his trainers into his tank and killed her. At 22.5 feet long and 12,000 lbs, he is the world’s largest orca in captivity. He performs art SeaWorld to this day, but not alongside trainers


4. They do not live longer in captivity

Unlike most animals in zoos, Orcas live much longer in the wild. Typically, wild females live 50 years on average, and may live up to 100. In captivity, orcas have lived up to a maximum for 40 years, but usually do not live past the age of 25.

5. They are extremely intelligent

Orcas have their own complex language which they use to communicate with each other, and frequently display problem-solving skills. Animal rights group Peta once tried – albeit unsuccessfully – to pursue a legal case against SeaWorld citing the 13th Amendment, claiming the animals should be classed as slaves being held in involuntary servitude

6. Shamu is not a single whale

Or rather, not any more. Despite being the name of every child’s beloved orca cuddly toy, the original Shamu died over 40 years ago. She was one of the first ever Orcas to survive captivity and be displayed to the public. SeaWorld continues to use her name for various shows, stadia and orcas.