A killer whale named Tilikum, attacked and killed its trainer today inside Shamu Stadium. The .jpg)
incident happened around 2:00pm in front of a horrified audience at SeaWorld in Orlando.
Dawn Brancheau, the 40-year-old veteran trainer was one of SeaWorld’s most experienced trainers.
SeaWorld immediately closed the park while SeaWorld in San Diego suspended its killer whale show for an unknown amount of time.
There have been other attacks on whale trainers at SeaWorld parks. Back in November of 2006 one of the trainers at the San Diego Park was bitten and drug underwater by his foot several times. The trainer required surgery and received a broken foot.
Oddly enough just a few weeks prior to the November incident, a different Orca had grabbed another trainer the same way. Fortunately, the whale obeyed the command to release the trainer who then swam free.
Another trainer was not that lucky when he performing at SeaWorld in 1987. While riding a whale around the tank, a second whale leaped onto the trainer, breaking his pelvis, multiple ribs and his leg.
Tilikum, has a violent past including another death at SeaWorld! In1999 a man apparently slipped into the whale’s tank after hours and was found in the water, dead, the next morning. Tilly was also responsible for the death of another trainer back in 1991 at Canada’s SeaLand of the Pacific.
Jim Solomons, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office, stated that the trainer had "apparently slipped or fell" into the water. He confirmed there would be an investigation but there is no sense of foul play. Right now this appears to be an accident.”
After three deaths, isn’t it time to stop using the 12,000-pound Tilikum in shows?
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Comments
The tragic thing, is that this could have been so easily prevented. This whale never should have been allowed to train. Simple as that. If this animal was responsible for the death of two other people, then why in the world did anyone allow this animal to be used in shows? I mean, come on! This whale could have lived out a healthy life and not have been used in shows. Why did they have to allow this animal to train? Out of all the thousands of killer whales that are used and are totally fine with trainers, why did they allow this whale to continue on? I don't blame the animal one bit. Obviously something made him turn and kill Dawn. I'm not blaming her, either. I'm just saying that officials and zoo officials and whoever, should never have allowed this animal to train. I just hope that they put an end to this whale's career. Enough is enough!! If they seriously put him back to work, then they are only inviting more people to get hurt and killed. More innocent trainers who have a passio
He killed two other trainers? OMG why is he allowed near people at all?
Why is this whale still in shows?!!
Any of us could have been at that show, what a horrible thing for kids to witness. My prayers are with the trainer
Whales DO NOT belong in captivity. Don't blame the whale.
the question is why are these animals fored to act in shows. this is a 12,000 lb. animal with emotions and unfortunately this will continue to happen. if i was forced to live in a pen slightly larger than myself i too may get angry.
and they didnt witness anything, it happened in a holding pen out of view from people.
whales are definitely not meant to live like that, i agree with lacy and blake, it is not the whale's fault for behaving like a whale!
Seaworld just like Disney, will never admit to the truth to save themselves in a law suit, so unless you saw for yourself what really happened , you will never know the truth. The trainer died doing what she enjoyed, tragically, I feel for her entire family and my sincere sympathy to all who knew her. Should Tillikum be put down? Yes in the ocean he came from released far away from where he can do this to a 4th human. Never underestimate the power of a wild or domestic animal. However expect that if your passion is with them, expect that this may happen. God Bless !!
FYI--since sea world modified all it's programs to be positive reinforcement training ONLY, the animals are NOT being forced to do shows. How does one force a killer whale to do something anyway? They can't and are never punished. Infact, nowdays, they cancel shows if the whales don't "feel like" performing. Don't make assumptions.
leave the animals alone. It's not their fault.
standup for Seaworld if you want Grace but how are we making assumptions when the whale KILLED three? I'd say he doesn't "feel" like performing!
okay the guy explaining this is an idiot. "WE HAVE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATORS ON THE SCENE"
orly? did the whale plot to murder the trainer?! or was it a seaworld conspiracy?!
are you holding the whale for further questioning?!
Whales or any other wildlife are not meant to be held in captivity for our entertainment. The poor thing is what 30-40 years old. Can you imagine being taken out of your natural environment and being forced to do something you were not placed on this planet to do. It is simply torture. Not only will the whale be scrutized even further but a human life has been tragically taken away from her loved ones. Who more than likely had a family of her own who will never be the same now that she is gone.
okay the guy explaining this is an idiot. "WE HAVE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATORS ON THE SCENE"
orly? did the whale plot to murder the trainer?! or was it a seaworld conspiracy?!
are you holding the whale for further questioning?!
He should have been taken out of the performing arena all togehter after the first death but he wasn't and he did it again and then again! Will they learn this time?
Seriously folks, its about time we dont have places like 'Seaworld' they should be closed. I went to Seaworld Florida many many years ago as a child and i didnt like it then, dont like it now. Those Killer Whales should not be couped up and should be allowed to move freely in the open sea. Its because of humans that they have to trained to put on a freak show and now their retaliating, it was only a matter of time.
Helloooooooooooo, the animal killed 4 people, put it back in the ocean.Or they will keep the whale there!
Why are we keeping these animals captive. Animals are wild and should be allowed to live that way. I don't understand why people find these shows entertaining.How would you feel if someone put a human in a tank to swim around all day and made the human do tricks for there amusement. Humans in prison act the same way when they are caged up for too long. Get a clue
they need to leave wild animals in the wild were they belong FREE....
I have never actually commented onm a story before but I have to encourage people to get the facts straight. There have been 3 deaths associated with Tilly. The 2nd incident was a man who hid in the park until it closed and then jumped into the tank in just his underwear. Ever felt how cold that water is? The autopsy states that he died from hypothermia. Perhaps he shouldn't be performing, but why should he be killed? I hardly doubt he begged us humans to remove him from his home and family but that's that way of our race....we make this life choice for him and when it doesn't work out, we kill him. Beautiful....
she died doing what she loved whcich is most important and i don't think the whale should be put down if he grabbed her ponytail as people are saying it wouold've broke
We stood up and tell other country how to treat their animal. Look what we are doing- doing the oposite. These animal should be free. Leave them in their natural environment and if we want to see them. Take a trip to the ocean.
Tilly is saying "FREE ME you idiot. I rather be on someone's dinner plate than here. Just because I put on a show. Everyone claps and you think I know what that what. I don't. All I see is black and white. You feed me everytime I done a trick. I got to eat you know, that's why I do the tricks. FREE ME."
How long will it take for them to realize that the whale should've be release the first time it killed a person.
How long will it take for them to realize that the whale should've be release the first time it killed a person.
I am on the same side as Grace. People who work with these animals know what they can do with the animals, and that they are still wild animals. They but there lives at risk everyday just so us dumb people can see there shows. If you did the same thing everyday of your life for the past few years. You would get Mad too
Sounds like the whales frustration won over the ladys passion in the end. Don't mean to seem like I have no empathy....because I do. It's just more for animals as a whole, because as humans we should be more responsable.
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