Wikie (killer whale)
Wikie is a female killer whale who lives at the Marineland of Antibes in Antibes, France.
In 2009, Wikie was artificially inseminated with semen from Ulisses, a male orca who currently lives at SeaWorld San Diego in California. The artificial insemination resulted in the birth of her first calf on March 16, 2011. Her calf was the first killer whale to be born through artificial insemination in Europe. Wikie gave birth to her second calf on November 20, 2013.It was reported in January 2018, through the Proceedings of the Royal Society, that researchers from Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad Compluense de Madrid and St. Andrews, working at the Marineland of Antibes, had successfully taught Wikie to mimic human words such as 'hello', 'bye bye' and 'Amy', as well as count to three, through using her blowhole. Wikie is thought to be the world's first killer whale to ever mimic human speech.
Following the announcement of Wikie's ability to mimic human language, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Humane Society International called for Wikie to be released from captivity.
