A new Shamu whale show with an environmental message will open on Memorial Day weekend at SeaWorld San Diego, park officials announced today.
The theme of "One Ocean" is that humans and animals share the world and its oceans, which must be protected for the future. It replaces a show called "Believe," which has run for five years.
"One Ocean" is scheduled to premiere at the park in Orlando at the end of April.
"This new show brings to life SeaWorld's mission in the most powerful way yet," said Jim Atchison, president and CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. "This show is what guests love about our parks -- thrilling entertainment that educates and inspires you to celebrate, connect and care for the world we share."
The whales will interact in new ways with trainers, the audience and each other, and will play amid giant fountains, according to park officials.
The original Shamu was the star of the killer whale show at SeaWorld San Diego in the 1960s. She was the fourth killer whale ever captured, the second female and the third ever to go on public display.
She was retired from performing after she grabbed the leg of a female SeaWorld employee who was riding her as part of a publicity event. After she died in 1971, SeaWorld continued to use the name Shamu for its whale shows.
