THE “world’s loneliest orca” who has been trapped in a tiny pool for 32 years is experiencing the “worst form of torture”, experts claim.
A devastating video shows Kshamenk barely able to move in the tight space – so small it has reportedly caused his body to bend.
Kshamenk acquired his tragic title when his partner passed away two decades ago, leaving the helpless animal on its own at the Mundo Marino aquarium in Argentina.
Situated in the city of San Clemente del Tuyú, the oceanarium has faced criticism from activists, professionals, and the community for its purportedly cruel treatment of the magnificent creature.
Being the sole remaining orca in captivity in South America, Kshamenk has garnered support from over 40,000 individuals who have signed a petition for his release, despite the aquarium’s claims that the orca is well cared for.
Activist and co-founder of UrgentSeas, Phil Demers, went to the park and filmed the heartbreaking treatment of Kshamenk.
One of these videos showed a heartbreaking timelapse of the isolated killer whale lying motionless for 24 hours while trapped in his concrete pool.
Phil revealed the supposedly barbaric conditions the lonely orca has been subject to while in captivity, exclusively to The Sun.
He explained that Kshamenk’s existence at the aquarium consists of performing in front of visitors for his food for a few minutes about twice a day.
The beautiful orca is then struck back to the tiny pool where he has spent most of his life.
A shocking video has appeared to show the lonely animal floating motionless as a dolphin swims around him in his concrete pool.
Experts and activists have desperately pleaded with the Argentinian government and the Mundo Marino aquarium to give Kshamenk the freedom and social life his species desperately needs.
Phil told The Sun: “Socially complex emotional animals in solitary confinement… it’s possibly the worst form of torture.”
He added: “They’ve tapped into his survival instincts, so he’s not there to thrive.
“He’s got no interactions with family, no interaction with other members of his own species.
“And again, because him being a social animal in the wild, a male Orca will live their entire lifetime little more than another whale’s length from their mother.
“You know that’s how tight these family bonds are.”
The activist warned that Kshamenk could face more anguish if authorities do not act to grant him more freedoms.
Phil added: “I can assure you he will die exactly where he is now.
He said: “It will be far worse than having a semblance of hope in restoring a semblance of dignity to his life and taking a risk.”
A major health concern affecting confined animals like Kshamenk was highlighted by the animal rights group Humane Society International.
The group told The Sun: “Orcas are complex, gregarious, three-dimensional creatures who in captivity are forced to live in a bland concrete enclosure?
“We typically see high mortality rates and stress-related causes of death in captive whales and dolphins.”
It added: “These animals, who are perpetually aware, have nothing like the varied stimulation of plants and fish and other animals in their natural environment.
“In perpetual motion, they are forced into literally endless circles.
“Life for these animals is a mere shadow of what it was in the wild.”
Activists have also pointed out worrying signs of physical issues with the beautiful orca.
Kshamenk’s dorsal fin – which sits on his back – has collapsed which is uncommon in wild orcas.
This physical defect is a direct consequence of his solitary confinement as his small pool does not give him the chance to swim quickly and at low depths, so water pressure can keep his fin up.
Kshamenk’s cramped home of 32 years has reportedly caused his body to bend, according to The Dolphin Project.
Despite concerns from activists and experts, the aquarium has hit back and claimed Kshamenk is in “excellent health”, according to its website.
His home of over three decades has argued his health is monitored monthly by specialists
The Mundo Marino has also claimed activists’ requests to transfer Kshamenk to a sanctuary or move him out of solitary confinement would “pose significant risks to his well-being and life”.
Despite this, the aquarium’s arguments have been branded as “lies” by the UrgentSeas co-founder.
The Sun has reached out to The Mundo Marino aquarium for comment.
Kiska: The “tortured
ANOTHER killer whale who lived a “tortured existence
Kiska – dubbed the world’s loneliest whale by PETA – tragically outlived five of her babies before leading a lonely life in her small tank.
The heartbreaking orca was captured in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Iceland in 1979 when she was just two years old.
She was initially taken to an aquarium in Iceland but was later sold to MarineLand in Canada.
Kiska spent the last 12 years of her life completely alone in a tiny tank before she died in March 2023.
Activists said she suffered greatly after the loss of her children and fellow tankmates, leaving her totally isolated for over a decade.
Heartbreaking footage showed her shaking and smashing her head against the wall.
Researchers and activists believed her behaviour was a result of her damaged mental and physical health and wellbeing from prolonged captivity.
Activist and co-founder of UrgentSeas, Phil Demers, worked at MarineLand from March 2000 to May 2012 and left as a whistleblower.
He said Kiska died a “slow and shameful” death in her concrete tank.
Phil told The Sun: “Kiska’s life can be best described as a living nightmare. She had a tortured existence.
“Watching her deteriorate over the past decade was gut-wrenching to watch.
HEARTBREAKING LIFE
The Mundo Marino aquarium claimed Kshamenk was rescued in November 1992.
Three fishermen sailed from San Clemente del Tuyú but spotted four stranded orcas stranded on a marshy and muddy bank.
Kshamenk – around three years old at the time – was found on that bank in a “critical condition” and “showing various signs of weakness,” according to the aquarium’s profile.
At the time, after talking to local authorities, it was believed the young orca should be taken to the Mundo Marino team for rehabilitation.
The aquarium added that specialists at the time rejected the idea of taking him back to the seas because it would have put his “well-being and life at risk.”
The other three stranded orcas were able to swim back into the sea after water levels rose the next day, according to supposed testimonies from the fishermen.
After moving to the aquarium, Kshamnek lived with a second orca named Belen.
The pair hit it off until Belen died in 2000 after issues while giving birth, leaving the killer whale mostly alone for the past 25 years.
He has spent his time with only two dolphins near him as another orca was never let in.
According to reports, his sperm has been sold several times to SeaWorld to impregnate other orcas.
