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Source: Kristy Stevens-Young , examiner.com
A killer whale named Tilikum, attacked and killed its trainer today inside Shamu Stadium. The 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?
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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