Shocking moment an orca is left bleeding next to a pool after being injured during an aquarium show

This is the shocking moment an orca bled next to its pool after suffering a serious injury at an aquarium show.

The footage, filmed at Shanghai’s Haichang Ocean Park, shows the orca being made by a trainer to pose with its tail and head bent upwards as it lies next to the tank.

But as he moves his left fin, blood can be seen gushing out as shocked onlookers gasp in horror.

The orca was then seen sliding back into the water and raising its head in anticipation before the trainer gave him some fish.

The social media user who captured and shared the footage on November 10 says the animal was injured during the show Haichang Ocean Park confirmed this to local media the next day.

As he moves his left fin, blood can be seen gushing out as shocked onlookers gasp in horror

The poor animal was seen struggling at the edge of the pool

Keeping orcas in captivity is highly controversial around the world, with many activists claiming the practice is cruel

Park officials said the orca was accidentally scratched while playing with a toy and that trainers attended to him as soon as they noticed he was bleeding

The orca was then seen sliding back into the water and raising its head in anticipation before the trainer gave him some fish.

Park officials said the orca was accidentally scratched while playing with a toy and that the trainers took care of it as soon as they noticed it was bleeding.

Keeping orcas in captivity is highly controversial around the world, with many activists claiming the practice is cruel and often leads to vastly shortened lifespans.

Animal protection groups, including PETA and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Campaign, report enormous psychological problems with captive killer whales.

Up to 90% of captive male orcas suffer from dorsal fin collapse, a condition often associated with stress.

Often, a killer whale’s living conditions in captivity are very different and bear little resemblance to wild habitats. They are given very little space to swim and the water itself is often chemically treated.

Furthermore, their social groups are very different, resulting in aggression towards themselves, other orcas or people, which is the result of stress.