After Killer Whale Attack, Trainers Not Allowed in Water During Performances

After the tragic killing of Indiana native Dawn Brancheau by a killer whale named Tilikum, Sea World has made a decision to keep trainers out of the water while they are working with killer whales, according to People magazine and other sources.

This means that visitors to Sea World will no longer see trainers riding on killer whales or riding alongside them in the water. Keeping trainers safe may result in less personal performances and increase trainer safety but the decision still leaves many questions unanswered - including whether the decision is a permanent or temporary one.

Will Sea World Killer Whale Trainers Continue to Stay out of Water During Shows?

Even though Tilikum had a worrisome history, with two people who'd interacted with the whale in past years dead under suspicious circumstances, this killer whale was still allowed to work with trainers and give shows for visitors, with both whales and trainers in the water at the same time. Although an investigation is ongoing, some sources indicate the possibility that trainers may eventually be able to get back in the water with killer whales. According to other sources, including CNN , trainers may not go back and work with killer whales in the water.

Will Video Showing Death of Killer Whale Trainer Dawn Brancheau Provide Useful Info?

Perhaps because of morbid curiosity, people are avidly searching for the killer whale attack video, one which shows the actual death of trainer Dawn Brancheau. Many purported videos actually take readers to malware and other viruses. A video has been given to Sea World authorities and is being examined closely. It may provide useful information.

Witnesses have noted that the whale grabbed Brancheau's ponytail and may have been playing with her. However, this particular killer whale had already been involved in deaths of two other people, although the circumstances were different in each case.

In 1991, Tilikum was one of several whales who dragged a trainer under the water until he drowned. In another instance, a man was found floating in the water in the killer whale's tank. That death was far murkier as the victim wasn't a trainer and the drowning could have been an accident unrelated to any violence from Tilikum or any other killer whale. When a 12,000 pound whale plays, could it accidentally kill a trainer or would it have to be intentionally violent? When Brancheau's ponytail was grabbed, was the whale being playful or was it irritated?

With a Worrisome History, Why was Tilikum Allowed to Perform with Trainers in the Water?

That seems to be the focus of parts of the investigation. Even the head of animal training at Sea World questioned the safety standards in light of Brancheau's death. In spite of the killer whale name, there is evidence that killing is atypical killer whale behavior (at least, killing humans). Whales and other creatures in captivity may react differently than in the wild. Not only may some be more prone to aggressive behavior but it has been hard to breed some animals in captivity as well as help them thrive. It may be impossible to duplicate the conditions of a truly wild and free environment at a site like Sea World.

Also, Tilikum did not have an unscathed past. The deaths of two people while the whale was involved or in the water is being investigated as possible cause for concern. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) are noting that this terrible accident did not have to happen.

Sources:

Feds Investigating After Whale Kills SeaWorld Trainer, Feb. 26, 2010, CNN here
Killer Whales Shows to Resume Saturday, People, Feb. 26, 2010, here
SeaWorld CEO Says Shows with Killer Whales will Resume Saturday, Feb. 26, 2010 here
SeaWorld Trainer Killing not Typical Killer Whale Behavior, Says Expert, Saul Relative, Associated Content, Feb 25, here