Tilikum the Killer Whale Strikes Again
Dealing with the Danger of Putting Wild Animals into Captivity
Spectators were frightfully shocked when the killer whale grabbed the victim's upper arm and dragged her deep in the pool, while twirling her around. The victim was Dawn Brancheau, a veteran trainer at the age of 40, who had been employed at Sea World Orlando since 1994. She fell in love with the water park when she first visited it at age 9 and she told the Orlando Sentinel in 2006 that she always wanted to work there.
She recalled telling her mom while walking with her down the aisle, "This is what I want to do."
Dawn realized her dream when she was hired to work with sea lions and otters and later on advanced to train killer whales. But sadly, her dream ended crudely in a nightmare. As if she was aware of her future fate, she also issued this statement in 2006.
"You can't put yourself in the water unless you trust them (orcas) and they trust you."
Because of the tragic incident, park spokesman David Koontz announced on Wednesday that Sea World San Diego canceled its afternoon killer whale show, according to a report released today by DNA India Web site.
"We're very saddened by the loss of the member of our SeaWorld family," Koontz added.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) officials, who had been criticizing Sea World's practices for years, quickly issued a statement requesting the park "to stop confining oceangoing mammals to an area that to them is like a size of a bathtub." They continued, "It's not surprising when these huge, smart animals lash out."
Sea World has not made a decision yet on what they are going to do with Tilikum the killer whale. Will he be released in the wild and become a "Free Willy?" Or will he be kept in the pool and continue to rule as a predator? Only the Sea World officials know.
Here is a video posted by CBS Network in YouTube for this story: Deadly Attack at Sea World
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Published by Joey Liam
Joey Liam is a freelance writer who specializes in religion, sports, creative writing, parenting, and technology. He serves in the military and currently designated as the Overall Coordinator for the San Die... View profile
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- Sea World in Orlando
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- Tilikum is a large, male killer whale that weights 12,000 pounds.
- Tilikum is still kept at SeaWorld Orlando at the time of this writing.
9 Comments
Post a CommentA very tragic event, but I'm not sure why people want to put themselves in the same space as a wild animal of any type.
That is so true, Dave, however, I believe that SeaWorld states that they will keep Tilly and continue to use him as a breeder so I guess more orcas will reign in the water park for years to come. :(
It does not sound as though they will set him free. Guess time will tell.
I agree with Joey. Animals kept in captivity are prisoners. Prisoners ought not be expected to be loving and kind to their captors. They may be in cages or pools - but they remain wild animals and belong in the wild. To keep them for our 'viewing pleasure and entertainment' is a simple expression of the arrogance of humankind. Sadly, animals that 'fight back' are often 'put down' (murdered.)
Tilly does not belong in SeaWorld. He should be set free and join his fellow predators in the ocean. He already killed three based on actual records so I don't see no hope in changing his behavior unless the scientists in SeaWorld could teach him to play rehab. Thanks for all your comments, guys and ladies. Condolence to the whole family of Dawn.
Very shocking and sad, but it just goes to show that there will always be an element of danger in working with wild animals like these. They can never be completely tamed, no matter how long they're kept in captivity. For the safety of the trainers and the well-being of the whale, I believe it should be set free.
So true and perhaps a lesson that we can not capture wild creatures just for our own entertainment and not expect them to act "wild". Well done Joey.
A very sad occurrence. More proof that we do not know everything about the animal world and their behavior.
That was so sad. Thanks Joey for reminding us of this story.
With Love,
Cindy