orca teeth and poor oral health

Orca Teeth

A presentation of poor dentition of captive orcas

Nootka 5

Virtually all teeth worn to the gum line

Few people are aware that captive orcas routinely have holes drilled in their teeth

Broken and fractured teeth from threat displays known as "jaw popping"

Shouka- Six Flags

Bottom teeth are virtually non-existent

Tilikum

Decimated lower jaw

Tilikum

Chomping on steel gates in an effort to establish dominance contributes to damage

Taima

Core holes in teeth.20 year old Taima died in June, 2010 while giving birth. Her calf did not survive.

Taima

Left: Teeth completely worn to jaw Right: Healthy teeth before damage/wear

Katina

Tilikum

Contributors to the poor dentition include tooth grinding, flattening and drilling

Visible cores in teeth- lower jaw

Sumar

12 year old Sumar died in September 2010. Note the damage to bottom teeth

Corky

Sumar

The training and education staff at SeaWorld contends that

the thrice daily "tooth flushes" are "superior dental care"

Lovey (L) and Earth (R) - SeaWorld Kamogawa, Japan

Tilikum

Completely worn lower jaw

Tilikum

Kalina

Kshamenk (Argentina)

Broken / worn front teeth