Guide to China's Present and Future Killer Whales in Captivity
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Guide to China’s Present and Future
Killer Whales in Captivity
First Revised Edition – September 15, 2017
Captive orcas currently in China: 13
Facilities in China with orcas currently on display: 0
Facilities in China with plans to display orcas: 7
Notes: To properly view locations, use the ‘Satellite’ view on Google Maps
The purpose of this guide is not to condemn nor to commend the capture and
display of killer whales
Send questions, corrections, and any new information to Michael Giskin: michaelg3000@icloud.com
Copyright © 2017 Michael Giskin. All Rights Reserved.
All images featured in this guide belong to their respective owner and are displayed for informational purpose only.
1
Facilities Information
Chimelong Marine Science Museum Project
Local name: 长隆海洋科学馆项目
Status: Under Construction
Opening: Fourth Quarter 2018
Number of orcas: 9
Holding facility: Yes (in use)
Exhibit design: indoors, show pool
Developer: Chimelong Group Co. Ltd.
Location: holding facility - ?
main exhibit - https://goo.gl/maps/TvF4ThKMhj42
Chimelong Group's Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park opened in 2014 and has since become one of
the most visited theme parks in the world. Future expansion plans even prior to opening included the
display of killer whales. As of February 2017, Chimelong has nine killer whales (five male, four female) that
were captured between 2013 and 2015. Six are shown to be living together in an indoor holding facility
that's located near the existing theme park. The other three's specific whereabouts are unclear at this
time. According to a reliable source, waterwork training has already begun. The orca's permanent home
will be at the Chimelong Marine Science Project (not necessarily the official final name). The Chimelong
Marine Science Project is a large indoor building that will be divided into "exhibition" and "performance"
areas. No information has been released about the killer whale's exhibit specifically. The precise location of
the holding facility is unclear. The Chimelong Marine Science Project is located south of the existing theme
park. At the time of the ground breaking, it was reported that the Chimelong Marine Science Project
would open in 2017 but the completion date has been pushed back to fourth quarter of 2018. As of August
2017, construction on the Chimelong Marine Science Project’s foundation has been completed.
2
Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean Park
Local name: 上海海昌极地海洋公园
Status: Under Construction
Opening: Late Summer/Early Fall 2018
Number of orcas: 4
Holding facility: Yes (in use)
Exhibit design: outdoors - one show pool, three back pools, one medical pool
Developer: Haichang Ocean Park Holdings Ltd.
Location: holding facility - https://goo.gl/maps/gf2sG3MLUsj
main exhibit - https://goo.gl/maps/L3nNtfbe4kT2
Announced back in 2012, Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean Park is currently under construction with plans
to open sometime in 2018. Haichang Ocean Park Holdings has acquired four orcas for Shanghai Haichang
Polar Ocean Park. Assuming there has been no deaths, births or transfers, the four orcas are currently in a
temporary holding facility at Dalian Tiger Beach (Laohutan) Ocean Park, which is also owned by Haichang.
Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean Park's orca exhibit will be outdoors and include a show pool, three back
pools and a medical pool. The show pool's width will be approximately 140 feet at its widest point. The
three back pools are approximately 120 by 80 feet each. The rectangular medical pool is about 50 by 20
feet. In comparison, SeaWorld San Diego's killer whale show pool is about 165 feet at its widest point, the
back pools are 120 by 75 feet each and the medical pool is 40 by 25 feet.
3
Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom
Local name: 无锡长乔海洋王国
Status: Planning
Opening: 2019
Number of orcas: ?
Holding facility: Yes (under construction)
Exhibit design: Indoors
Developer: Hangzhou Changqiao Investment Group Co., Ltd.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/BypgRg3S4AS2
Announced back in 2016, Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom is set to open sometime in 2019. Construction
on the marine life park itself will begin as soon as it receives government approval. Construction of the
killer whale breeding base/holding facility in Wuxi is almost complete. The plan is to import an unspecified
number of orcas from Russia to the breeding base as soon as November 2017. According to concept
renderings the killer whale exhibit/performance area will be indoors.
4
Bayuquan Beluga World
Local name: 营口鲅鱼圈大白鲸海岸城
Status: Under Construction
Opening: 2018
Number of orcas: ?
Holding facility: ?
Exhibit design: Indoors
Developer: Dalian Sun Asia Tourism Holding Co., Ltd. & Gold Time City Group
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/FN9PpWjVexN2
Announced in December 2016, Bayuquan Beluga World is a marine life park that will feature an indoor
killer whale exhibit. The ground breaking ceremony for Bayuquan Beluga World took place on April 12,
2017. Part of this facility's project agreement is that the developer, Dalian Sun Asia, will utilize Bayuquan
Beluga World for the breeding of marine animals. Phase 1 of Bayuquan Beluga World is expected to be
completed in 2018. No specifics have been announced in regards to Bayuquan Beluga World's killer plans,
including acquisition.
5
Hainan Ocean Paradise
Local name: 海南海洋欢乐世界
Status: Planning
Opening: 2018
Number of orcas: ?
Holding facility: Yes
Exhibit design: ?
Developer: Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd.
Location: holding facility - https://goo.gl/maps/15Kc3ruScXv
main exhibit - https://goo.gl/maps/1TLfxUXNkcq
Construction began on Hainan Ocean Paradise in 2011 and at the time the theme park's plan did not
mention the specific cetacean species that would be on display. In 2012 Village Roadshow announced an
agreement with Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd. to design and operate Hainan Ocean Paradise.
Concept art of the theme park from 2013 depicted orcas performing in what has later become the dolphin
exhibit/show. In late 2015, a spokesman for Village Roadshow said "No cetaceans will be sourced from wild
stocks at any park Village Roadshow Theme Parks manages nor are there any plans to house orcas." Soon
after that Village Roadshow ended their agreement to manage Hainan Ocean Paradise. Since then
construction on Hainan Ocean Paradise has continued and promotional signage for the theme park depicts
orcas. A park overview video released by Hainan Ocean Paradise in September 2016 showed plans for a
"killer whale aquarium." Hainan Ocean Paradise is still under construction with plans to open in 2018 but
without the killer whale aquarium. If or when the killer whale aquarium is built, it will be located adjacent
to the already operational Veterinary Quarantine Center. The design of the killer whale aquarium has not
been announced and no orcas have been acquired.
6
Linyi Polar Ocean World
Local name: 临沂极地海洋世界
Status: Under Construction
Opening: 2018
Number of orcas: 2 or 4
Holding facility: Yes
Exhibit design: Indoors
Developer: Linyi Lu Di Shan Hua Tourism Development Co., Ltd.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/n2WdkGQY8gP2 (approximate location for both holding and main exhibit)
Linyi Polar Ocean World is an indoor aquarium that is currently under construction. Construction began in
March 2016 and after a few delays the aquarium is now set to open on October 1, 2017. Linyi Polar Ocean
World is made up of two buildings. The larger of the two buildings is the main aquarium which includes a
wide array of sea life plus a large "performance theater" for their marine mammal show which will include
species such as sea lions and dolphins. Phase 2 of Linyi Polar Ocean World is "Killer Whale Bay," a separate
building just for orcas that will be completed in 2018 and will be connected to the main aquarium.
According to news reports Linyi Polar Ocean World will be getting two orcas. More recently the aquarium's
official website said they will have four orcas. As of June 25, 2017, the main aquarium is in the final stages
of being built while Killer Whale Bay and the "polar marine animal quarantine holding base" are still under
construction.
7
Qingdao Ocean Dream World
Local name: 青岛海洋梦工场
Opening: ?
Status: Planning
Number of orcas: ?
Holding facility: ?
Exhibit design: Outdoors
Developer: Qingdao West Coast Development Group Co., Ltd.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/L35t7DSSZ4v (approximate location)
Plans for Qingdao Ocean Dream World were released in July 2015. Using land reclamation, the theme park
is going to be located on a manmade peninsula in Lingshan Bay between Lingshan Bay Marina and Wanda
Oriental Movie Metropolis. Qingdao Ocean Dream World will include an outdoor killer whale exhibit, but
no further orca-specific details have been released. Based on the latest satellite imagery, land reclamation
is still incomplete. Recent news reports still mention the project, but do give any update on its progress.
No completion date has been set.
8
Gallery
Chimelong Marine Science Project
“A change from the traditional exhibition display of marine resources, the new park will effect a
perfect fusion of the virtual world and the real world. Externally, the Chimelong Marine Science
Project takes the appearance of a contemporary and technologically-advanced architecture.”
Chimelong officially confirmed their possession of orcas when they unveiled the Chimelong Killer Whale
Holding Facility on February 24, 2017.
9
A recent photo of the construction site from August 2017
This early concept image shows the performance area of the Chimelong Marine Science Project. This
large, high-tech arena will feature human performers and orcas. Note the show pool in the bottom center
of the image that includes three slideouts.
10The ground breaking ceremony for Chimelong Marine Science Project took place on December 30, 2015.
Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean Park
In this concept rendering for the theme park, the orca exhibit can be seen on the far left.
11A recent overhead image of Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean Park’s construction shows the progress on
the killer whale exhibit, which includes a show pool, three back pools and a medical pool.
Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom
Construction progress on Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom’s killer whale holding facility/breeding base
from May 2017.
12In this concept rendering of Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom, the killer whale exhibit is the large building
on the far right in front of the roller coaster.
Bayuquan Beluga World
The ground breaking ceremony for Bayuquan Beluga World took place on April 12, 2017.
13Concept image of Bayuquan Beluga World
Construction of Bayuquan Beluga World from July 2017
14Hainan Ocean Paradise
Promotional signage outside the construction site in February 2017 features killer whales.
The large plot of land on the far left of this concept image is designated for a future killer whale exhibit.
15Concept art from 2013 depicts an earlier design of the park that included a killer whale show.
Recent aerial photo of Hainan Ocean Paradise, which is opening in 2018.
16Linyi Polar Ocean World
“Killer Whale Bay” is the building shown on the left in this concept image.
This photo from August 2017 shows “Killer Whale Bay” under construction.
17In this layout of Linyi Polar Ocean World, “Killer Whale Bay” is the left building and the building on the
right is the main aquarium.
Qingdao Ocean Dream World
In this concept rendering for the theme park, the orca exhibit can be seen on the top left.
18Sources
Chimelong Ocean World
http://www.newsgd.com/news/2015-12/31/content_139985897.htm
http://gbtimes.com/china/hong-kong-macau-zhuhai-bridge-expected-open-year-end
http://www.newsgd.com/news/2015-12/31/content_139985897.htm
http://zh.chimelong.com/News/news-detail.aspx?id=752
http://www.cetabase.org/docs/mmh/08-initial-acclimation-killer-whales-to-captivity.pdf
https://media.weibo.cn/article?id=2309404038146928045039
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http://zh.chimelong.com/News/news-detail.aspx?id=473
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http://www.wanhuajing.com/d164567
http://www.mk.ru/social/2017/06/01/belukh-putina-desyatkami-prodayut-v-kitay-pechalnaya-sudba-dragocennykh-
zhivotnykh.html
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Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean Park
https://media.weibo.cn/article?id=2309404038146928045039
http://photo.eastday.com/2013slideshow/20170707_9/index_K26573.html
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zhivotnykh.html
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%9D%90%E6%96%992016.pdf
http://www.tzolw.com/tzwn/201708/45685023.html
Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom
http://www.wnd.gov.cn/xqmh/a/201703/ifrfylnq65lt.shtml
http://agri.wuxi.gov.cn/doc/2017/06/23/1369841.shtml
http://agri.wuxi.gov.cn/doc/2017/05/11/1321447.shtml
http://www.wuxitoutiao.com/ms/3415.html
http://gh.wuxi.gov.cn/doc/2017/08/17/1430883.shtml
19Bayuquan Beluga World
http://ba.cc/topic/61431
http://www.sunasia.com/mobile/show.asp?id=552
http://www.goldtimecity.com/home/topic/f71fb4a9-c03b-4cfc-8f9c-3e0874e540df
http://m.52liaoshen.com/news/39076.html
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http://www.byqxww.com/2017/0804/36463.shtml
http://www.ykthfs.com/newsinfo.php?id=126
http://www.sohu.com/a/138011808_333647
Hainan Ocean Paradise
http://www.cmztfc.com/n/20170606/69827.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g724_RebGSY
http://www.jbxuanzhuanmuma.com/meitizhongxin/2016/1205/260.html
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go-on/
http://design.qiao-cheng.com/web/case_details.aspx?parm=8723&detail=8948
http://www.ccdi.com.cn/project/detail?p_id=543f49d04a961906298b4b9f
Linyi Polar Ocean World
http://linyi.dzwww.com/news/201601/t20160126_13755539.htm
http://www.langya.cn/lyxw/jrgz/201610/t20161020_436362.html
http://www.lyjdhy.com/index.php?m=Article&a=show&id=35
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http://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309403935819692948774
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Qingdao Ocean Dream World
http://www.dzpgs.com/2017/0531/290990.html
http://www.hycfw.com/Article/186440
http://www.ndateam.com/waterfront-projects/
http://qingdao.sdchina.com/show/3394423.html
http://cj.sina.com.cn/article/detail/3665308924/220288
http://finance.jrj.com.cn/2017/06/12094322597617.shtml
http://www.wzxun.com/detail/865194.html
20http://news.qingdaonews.com/qingdao/2015-07/02/content_11134103_all.htm
http://www.183read.com/magazine/article_738581.html
http://chuansong.me/n/1518545052022
http://www.qdhkcd.com/contents/36/38452.html
21You can also read
