Trainer Killed By Whale at Seaworld (Orlando)

[CathrynRose]

I disagree that with the premise that because the animals are somewhat intelligent that they cannot accidently kill a human. After all, humans are much more intelligent that orcas, but we occasionally kill each other.

Accidents happen and we happen to be extremely delicate creatures.

I don't think you read my post. Or maybe I'm not making myself clear. I agree with you.

 

[sbell111]

Also - my husband has a thing for watching those stinking Nat Geo channels, and the like. And I watched one on orca's (so that makes me an expert, right? )

I was actually really shocked at how brutal, and vicious and plotting, these mammals, were. I just had no idea. They stalk their prey, for hundreds of miles, and presumably plotting, I imagine.

They work in pods to train their young, and are serious predators. I just had no idea.

Once I saw this show, I remember thinking "What the heck are people doing in the water with these things???" The same animal that uses sea lions as a ball, of sorts - popping it back and forth to orca's in their pod, like a rag doll, these humans just jump in the tank with, and 'ride' across the water.

Again - whole thing is sad.

Orca are carnivores. As such, those in the wild must hunt to live. That doesn't mean that they must be an aggressor in every situation.

 

[sbell111]

I don't think you read my post. Or maybe I'm not making myself clear. I agree with you.

I was specifically replying to your comment that "they're too smart for accidental".

 

[TheZue]

Also - my husband has a thing for watching those stinking Nat Geo channels, and the like. And I watched one on orca's (so that makes me an expert, right? )

I was actually really shocked at how brutal, and vicious and plotting, these mammals, were. I just had no idea. They stalk their prey, for hundreds of miles, and presumably plotting, I imagine.

They work in pods to train their young, and are serious predators. I just had no idea.

Once I saw this show, I remember thinking "What the heck are people doing in the water with these things???" The same animal that uses sea lions as a ball, of sorts - popping it back and forth to orca's in their pod, like a rag doll, these humans just jump in the tank with, and 'ride' across the water.

Again - whole thing is sad.

Not all the pods hunt in that manner. Orcas are interesting because most eat salmon, here it's only the transient pod that goes for the sea lions. Although when they do come in our area it is interesting. My husband watched them bumping under the docks to knock off all the sea lions one year. But again that isn't how the majority, at least on the west coast, operate.

 

[Planogirl]

It's interesting that dolphins work with the military. I would presume that those are also captive animals though.

I wonder what the poor trainer who was killed would say? It looks like she was doing what she loved and likely knew the risks.

 

[PeterPan09]

It's interesting that dolphins work with the military. I would presume that those are also captive animals though.

I wonder what the poor trainer who was killed would say? It looks like she was doing what she loved and likely knew the risks.

One of the local news stations said this morning that her family has said she would NOT want anything to happen to the whale and that she died doing a job she absolutely loved. They also played an interview that the station had done with her a few months ago and she said that she wanted to do this since she was 9 years old and it was a dream come true.

It's tragic for her loved ones and everyone at Sea World.

 

[anniemae]

I had also read that Tilly was agitated during the previous show. They interviewed some tourists from Brazil who said that. The tourists also said that the trainer told the crowd that when you work with wild animals you don't know what to expect, but they had to cut the show short due to the whale being uncooporative. Not sure if that had anything to do with the accident or not.

 

[Jennasis]

Also - my husband has a thing for watching those stinking Nat Geo channels, and the like. And I watched one on orca's (so that makes me an expert, right? )

I was actually really shocked at how brutal, and vicious and plotting, these mammals, were. I just had no idea. They stalk their prey, for hundreds of miles, and presumably plotting, I imagine.

They work in pods to train their young, and are serious predators. I just had no idea.

Once I saw this show, I remember thinking "What the heck are people doing in the water with these things???" The same animal that uses sea lions as a ball, of sorts - popping it back and forth to orca's in their pod, like a rag doll, these humans just jump in the tank with, and 'ride' across the water.

Again - whole thing is sad.

Cathryn...I'm being honest here...everything I highlighted sounds like you are describing HUMANS.

There is no predator higher on the food chain. Well...maybe sharks...I hate sharks.

 

[RadioNate]

I think that you are misunderstanding what 'Dine with Shamu' is. The diners don't interact directly with the orca. They eat their meals while the trainer interacts with the animal.

It's amazing how many incorrect reports there are related to this accident. According to SeaWorld trainers, the animals were not 'agitated'.

There have also been reports that the animal grabbed her around the waist and dragged her into the pool. This is also incorrect. At the time if the accident, she was laying down rubbing him. Her long ponytail was hitting him in the face, he grabbed it and went under, apparently trying to play with whatever toy or treat she had given him.

Other reports have him holding her in his jaws and thrashing about (like a shark, I presume). This is also likely untrue. The thrashing was likely the trainer trying to free her hair from his mouth and get back to the surface.

It is truly sad that this accident happened and I feel for the trainer's loved ones, but accidents happen.

I know the paying guest don't interact with the orcas during Dine with Shamu however, I still don't think that Tilly should have been used for that experience. It is still a public venue and the whale is participating with the trainer in a show.

After the 1st incident, the whale IMO should have been 'retired' and never been used in any sort of interaction. Does that clarify.

I also don't think the reports are inaccurate. The people who were interviewed thought the whale seemed agitated earlier in the day. That is their opinion. They might not be correct (in Sea World's official statement) but the media is just reporting what the guest told them.

Personally, I think Sea World is treading very carefully in their statements. I'm sure there are a roomful of lawyers directing what they can and can not say.

There is video, so I'm sure they are aware of what happened.

Also Tilly is often used as the 'splash whale' in the Believe show. There is no reason that this whale should have been used in that capacity. The trainers are very close to the whale during the splash session. It is loud. There is no way a whale with Tilly's history should have been used in public performances.

 

[RadioNate]

I'll cross post but Dawn Brancheau's autopsy has been released.

Cause of death is listed as multiple traumatic injuries and drowning.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/22671270/detail.html

 

[sbell111]

I had also read that Tilly was agitated during the previous show. They interviewed some tourists from Brazil who said that. The tourists also said that the trainer told the crowd that when you work with wild animals you don't know what to expect, but they had to cut the show short due to the whale being uncooporative. Not sure if that had anything to do with the accident or not.

Given that the animal's only job in the show was to swim around the pool and drench the audience, I find that difficult to believe.

 

[sbell111]

I know the paying guest don't interact with the orcas during Dine with Shamu however, I still don't think that Tilly should have been used for that experience. It is still a public venue and the whale is participating with the trainer in a show

After the 1st incident, the whale IMO should have been 'retired' and never been used in any sort of interaction. Does that clarify.

It clarifies, but I disagree.

Interaction with trainers is absolutely crucial to the health and well being of the animal. It makes no difference if that interaction is made behind the scenes or in front of diners.

I also don't think the reports are inaccurate. The people who were interviewed thought the whale seemed agitated earlier in the day. That is their opinion. They might not be correct (in Sea World's official statement) but the media is just reporting what the guest told them.

Guests are not qualified to make this determination. The trainers have stated that the orcas were not 'agitated'. Given that they are trained to know this, I will believe them.

Personally, I think Sea World is treading very carefully in their statements. I'm sure there are a roomful of lawyers directing what they can and can not say.

There is video, so I'm sure they are aware of what happened.

Since there is video that will certainly be used during the official investigation, Sea World officials have no reason to lie about what happened.

Also Tilly is often used as the 'splash whale' in the Believe show. There is no reason that this whale should have been used in that capacity. The trainers are very close to the whale during the splash session. It is loud. There is no way a whale with Tilly's history should have been used in public performances.

First, I haven't read any concerns related to safety during Tillikum's show performances.

Second, I am not convinced that the two other instances show a problem with this animal.

The first instance involved a trainer who fell into a pool with three orca, one of which was pregnant. These three orcas were never trained in interaction with trainers within their pool. All three orcas dragged and submerged her.

The second incident involved a nut who hid in the park until after closing and then entered the pool. He died of hypothermia and drowning. I certainly do not blame the animal for this death any more than I would blame a lion for killing someone who climbed into his enclosure.

 

[CathrynRose]

The second incident involved a nut who hid in the park until after closing and then entered the pool. He died of hypothermia and drowning. I certainly do not blame the animal for this death any more than I would blame a lion for killing someone who climbed into his enclosure.

As my 14 y/o son stated "That one doesn't count.... what would you do if someone came into your house, naked?"

 

[mill4023]

In response to someone's comments about the whale being agitated, having to cut a show short due to an uncooperative animal does NOT mean the whale was agitated. It's fairly common for the whales to be uncooperative. The whales are like kids. Sometimes they listen and sometimes they don't.

I'm not going to get into the discussion about whether we should have whales in captivity, but I just want to say that these trainers absolutely adore these animals. Most of them have always had a love for animals and for many of them, they've known since they were kids that they wanted to work with animals.

My cousin spent several years at Sea World Orlando, as a trainer, swimming with the whales. He moved to Sea World San Diego a couple years ago, where he met his wife, who was also a whale trainer. As a kid, he volunteered at a number of wild animal shelters, including the one that was run by Steve Irwins's wife. He's always loved animals and always knew he wanted to work with them. We visited him at his apartment in Orlando, which he shared with another trainer, and I couldn't believe how many posters of whales were on the walls. It was very clear that they really loved these animals and loved their jobs.

 

[mill4023]

When we went to Sea World a few years ago, my cousin took us backstage after the Shamu show and introduced us to the whales. He told us to stay away from the tank with Tilly. But my understanding was that nobody swam with him because of his size and the fact that he wasn't used to having anyone in the water with him. He is almost 12,000 pounds, while the rest of their whales are between 5,000 and 9,000 pounds.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I'm assuming he just dragged her down and released her? Don't you think if he meant to harm her, he would have bitten her too?? And I'm saying this as delicately as possible......

 

[Claudia1]

I am confused. I thought that nobody ever got in the tank with the whale but I have seen numerous videos of her riding him.

 

[hereyago]

The news showed a little before Tili took Dawn. They were in the part where the Shamu dinner is. She was shaking her head, Tili was copying her. I thought they were at the part of the tanks where they can weigh the whales.
But the area of Shamu dinner, there are a few little areas where the whales would come up during dinner, this is where Dawn was standing. There was footage of her lyng down on one of these areas and Tili was right there. A former trainer said when he was there, that was not the protocol especially for Tili being in the tank.

A very sad thing.

 

[CathrynRose]

I am confused. I thought that nobody ever got in the tank with the whale but I have seen numerous videos of her riding him.

Right?

The 'last video' of her "seconds before the incident" she appeared to be IN the water with this orca.

 

[Silent1CB]

Read story & description of incident from NH family that was there.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/22671850/detail.html

Also, their uncut home video. Nothing graphic. Its stops just before incident.
Same video as in above article, just larger. http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/22671865/index.html