This has been suspected for a while, but Chimelong have finally confirmed that they are holding orcas.
https://qz.com/919644/chinas-amusem...e-nations-first-killer-whale-breeding-center/
It was confirmed in 2013 that Russia had exported two whales to China, but with no details as to where they went. The obvious guess was Chimelong since Ocean Kingdom was about to open. In 2014, a further 5 were reported as imports by China - again with no details of exact locations - but Russia (it must be Russia) didn't declare them as exports.
It now seems that Chimelong actually have nine killer whales.
They're currently in a holding facility undergoing training. I haven't been to the park for a while, so I have no idea how far along any long-term/performance pool is coming. There were no obvious signs of anything last time I was there.
Personally, I'm not happy about it, but it was inevitable at some point given the huge numbers of marine facilities opening all over the country.
https://qz.com/919644/chinas-amusem...e-nations-first-killer-whale-breeding-center/
It was confirmed in 2013 that Russia had exported two whales to China, but with no details as to where they went. The obvious guess was Chimelong since Ocean Kingdom was about to open. In 2014, a further 5 were reported as imports by China - again with no details of exact locations - but Russia (it must be Russia) didn't declare them as exports.
It now seems that Chimelong actually have nine killer whales.
They're currently in a holding facility undergoing training. I haven't been to the park for a while, so I have no idea how far along any long-term/performance pool is coming. There were no obvious signs of anything last time I was there.
Personally, I'm not happy about it, but it was inevitable at some point given the huge numbers of marine facilities opening all over the country.