This is the orca "Ulysses". Some say the curved dorsal fin is a result of swimming around and around in a small tank over a long period of time. However, SeaWorld's "Ask Shamu" e-mail service says this:

"Although movies make it seem that only whales in zoos have bent fins, this is far from the truth. SeaWorld has killer whales that have both straight and bent fins, the same as in the wild. In fact, researcher I. N. Visser studied wild killer whales by New Zealand and documented that 23% of males had bent fins (Aquatic Animals 24(2): 71-81).

Why do whales in both zoos and in the wild sometimes develop bent fins? No one is exactly sure, but it may have to do with genetics and/or because the fins can sometimes reach six feet in length with no hard bones or muscles to support it."

Sincerely,

The Ask Shamu Team

1-800-23-SHAMU

www.SeaWorld.