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Training Orcas. A brief behind the scene pictorial taken at SeaWorld San Diego.

My album titled "Believe" shows many of the results of these ongoing training efforts
July 28, 20051 - 40 of 46 ImagesAlbum by Heinz SteinerPhotos by Heinz Steiner
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Enlarge photo 9 Trainers formulate the game plan for the day
Enlarge photo 10 This is the pool where "Dine with Shamu" has moved to.So the routines have to be worked out in the "new" environment.
Enlarge photo 11 This pool was used for the "Shamu show during the reconstruction of the Shamu Stadium for the "Believe" show.
Enlarge photo 12 Here Shamu 'beaches' next to the 'new' dinie with Shamu tables on the left.
Enlarge photo 13 Trainers use scuba gear during some of their training.
Enlarge photo 14 The white 'football' on a pole is used for location and when 'slapped' hard on the water surface indicates to the whale where to jump.
Enlarge photo 15 The whales remember most of their routine and where to jump with small prompts including music.
Enlarge photo 16 See how close to the wall, where the dining tables now are Shamu jumps! The re-entry from this jump is with minimal splash as not to dilute the dinner or wet the diners.
Enlarge photo 17 A forward jump away from the diners. It takes enormous power to lift a few tons of whale that high above the water.
Enlarge photo 18 This jump, landing on Shamu's side will splash, but away from the diners.
Enlarge photo 19 Riding on Shamu's belly while swimming alongside the diners.
Enlarge photo 20 Preparing to be pushed by Shamu to bodysurf in front of him.
Enlarge photo 21 Shamu beached, to say hello to diners on the other side.
Enlarge photo 22 The tables are behind that black 'curtain' which is no longer there.
Enlarge photo 23 The rocks by the passage channel to the other pools is a "Splash Zone" and has a shelf for trainers.
Enlarge photo 24 The whales also respond to whistle signals...
Enlarge photo 25 food and ice cubes are treats and rewards.
Enlarge photo 26 as well as hand and arm gestures.
Enlarge photo 27 The whales form a close rapport with the trainers.
Enlarge photo 28 Some of the training addresses their health, such as physical and oral inspections. They also need to draw blood on a regular basis to maintain their health.
Enlarge photo 29 The people on the right behind the glass are in the splash zone and could get wet.
Enlarge photo 30 Trainers and orcas know each other.
Enlarge photo 31 and are always ready for food, which is fed from marked buckets to make sure...
Enlarge photo 32 they all get their 'fair' and required share.
Enlarge photo 33 in spite of occasional competition for it.
Enlarge photo 34 This is one of the two large holding basins, where 'Dine with Shamu" used to be. You can see 'mom' on the shelf and 'baby' Shamu in the back.
Enlarge photo 35 This is by the connectin channel,  the scale is on the right..
Enlarge photo 36 The trainer gets Shamu on the scale.
Enlarge photo 37 Mommy Shamu's big grin from the scale.
Enlarge photo 38 Of course, baby Shamu has to join mom on the scale, or is she trying to push her off?
Enlarge photo 39 There, that's the right way to get weighed in.
Enlarge photo 40 The scale must be an attractive hang-out place.