Tragic new video shows “world’s loneliest orca” lying almost motionless in aquarium tank “where he lived alone for 24 years”

THIS is the tragic moment a lonely orca was filmed lying motionless in a concrete aquarium for 24 hours.

The heartbreaking footage shows the isolated killer whale trapped in a tiny pool in Mundo Marino, Argentina's largest aquarium.

Kshamenk, a captive killer whale, has been named the world's loneliest orcaPhoto credit: SWNS

The orca was caught in 1992 and has been on its own since 2000Photo credit: SWNS

A 24-hour time-lapse recording of the orca showed him lying almost motionless at a gatePhoto credit: Jam Press Vid/@walrus_whisperer

The killer whale was trapped in a small tank in the Mundo Marino Aquarium for 32 yearsPhoto credit: Jam Press Vid/@walrus_whisperer

A 24-hour time-lapse video filmed on August 12 by the nonprofit organization UrgentSeas shows Kshamenk languishing motionless, his face staring directly at the enclosure gate.

The non-profit organization is now working to free the lonely Kshamenk, who has been on his own for 24 years.

The organization wants to take him to an open sanctuary with other orcas where he can socialize.

A spokesman for the organization said: “We continue to work with Argentine activists and members of Congress to raise awareness and address his cruel world.”

“He must be released from his tiny concrete tank and join other members of his species before it is too late.”

Kshamenk, 35, was first brought to Mundo Marino in 1992 after being captured off the Bay of Samborombón.

According to Mundo Marino, the then three-year-old orca was found washed ashore by three fishermen along with three other killer whales.

He was placed in a concrete tank in the aquarium.

The killer whale initially had a companion when he was placed in a tank with another killer whale named Belen.

The couple got along well until Belen died in 2000 after having problems during childbirth.

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Since then, he has spent the last 24 years in complete isolation in a narrow, shallow pool with severely restricted freedom of movement.

Kshamenk is the last killer whale living in captivity in Argentina.

Last year, Kshamenk went viral after UrgentSeas co-founder Phil Demers posted a video of the depressed orca on social media.

Demers visited the attraction to raise awareness about the “loneliest orca in the world.”

The disturbing clip shows Kshamenk in a small, round pool that is barely big enough for him.

He floats almost lifeless in the middle of the water while a dolphin swims around him.

Another dolphin can also be seen in a murky green pool next Door.

His sperm was reportedly sold to SeaWorld several times to impregnate other orcas.

The Instagram post has over 13,135 likes and 1,300 comments from shocked and horrified people.

One said: “This is horrific. No animal should live like this.”

Another commented: “Imagine being locked in a padded white cell for 50 years since you were a child.

“No education. This is a prison. Solitary confinement.”

Other posts called the treatment “so horrible” as he can’t even move, while others called it “so sad and heartbreaking.”

According to the website Mundo Marino, Kshamenk is in excellent health.

A statement dated June 27, 2024, said: “A team of three veterinarians and eight animal keepers, supported by seven external specialists, carry out monthly checks as part of a rigorous preventive medicine plan.”

“This includes blood tests to measure more than 32 parameters as well as gastric contents and respiratory flow samples to monitor 40 different parameters.

“All values are within the normal range for his age. In addition, Kshamenk's examinations and his general condition are constantly monitored, controlled and approved by the relevant provincial and national authorities.”

They added that it was impossible to release Kshamenk into the sea or into a protected area.

They said: “That would be impossible without seriously endangering his life.

“Orcas are highly social animals that live in complex groups and rely on their herd for hunting, foraging and protection.

“Adapting Kshamenk (a geriatric animal who has already exceeded his life expectancy) to this dynamic would be impossible, as his survival would depend on both his acceptance by a new orca group and his ability to hunt independently, both of which are highly unlikely.

“There are no protected areas, reserves or facilities in semi-natural environments that have the necessary capacity to care for an orca like Kshamenk.”

The Sun has contacted Mundo Marino for comment.