Baby Shamu is an orca (killer whale) that appears in several stage shows at the SeaWorld theme parks. Since the original Shamu debuted in the late 1960s, numerous orcas performed under the Shamu name over the course of 40-plus years until SeaWorld ended its orca breeding program in 2016.
History with the Macy's Parade
Baby Shamu made her parade debut in 1986, alongside a SeaWorld float and with Starfish (Both of them only this appearance). She made subsequent appearances in 1987 and 1988 when she was retired after the latter year. The balloon also made additional appearances in the 1987 and 1990 editions of the Macy's-Egleston Christmas Parade, as well as the 1995 Macy's Balloon-A-Thon.
Due to SeaWorld ending its orca breeding program as mentioned above and Shamu's death in 1971, as well as several controversies with SeaWorld itself, she is very unlikely to return.
Defects
- In 1986, her right flipper was marginally deflated.
- In 1988, the Baby Shamu balloon was missing a large amount of helium in its body, causing the balloon to droop.