Tekoa (Tek - o- a) Current Location: Loro Parque Tenerife Spain Originally From: seaworld Orlando ID Tips: Tekoa can

be difficult to ID if you are not sure what to look for. His eye patches are narrow roundish ovals. His left eye patch comes to a point over his eye while his right eye patch comes to a thin fade at the far end. His dorsal is starting to lean to the left. His rostrum is more bulbous like his father Tilikum and his half brother Ky. Nicknames: Koa, T.K. Name Meaning: Tekoa means beautiful in Cherokee Age/Gender: 11 years old Male Date of Birth: November 8th, 2000 Parents: Taima and Tilikum His Story: Tekoa was born on November 11th, 2000 at Seaworld Orlando to Taima and Tilikum. He is one of only 2 captive orcas left that are part transient, Taimas sire Kanduke was a transient making Tekoa 25% transient. A few months after his birth Taima became aggressive towards baby Tekoa as she did with his brother Sumar and so the two were separated. Although a reunion between mother and calf was attempted several times, she always became aggressive towards him and so Tekoa was permanently placed with Kalina. Kalina took great care of Tekoa and he also found a friend in Kalinas son, his half brother Tuar. In 2004 Tekoa was transferred along with Tuar to Seaworld San Antonio. While there he formed a great bond with a young adult female named Kayla. It as also at Seaworld San Antonio tyat Tekoa met Keto with whom he was transferred to Loro Parque with on February 13th, 2006. At Loro Parque Tekoa was learning many new behaviors and even doing waterworks with his trainers. However an incident between him and a trainer in 2007 placed certain restriction on working with him. Tekoa is a sub-dominant animal like most male orcas are so therefore he is often bullied and pushed around by his tank mates. Today Tekoa is 11 years old and lives happy and healthy at loro Parque.