Trainer Killed By Whale at Seaworld (Orlando)

[Deb in IA]

Right?

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

The former head trainer at Seaworld says that she was NOT in the water.

She was lying down on a 4-inch "slide out" that the trainers stand on when interacting with the whales.

Lacinak said Brancheau was apparently lying down in a 4-inch deep "slide out" that trainers are meant to stand on while interacting with the whale when her ponytail drifted toward the mouth of the 12,000-pound animal.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/seaworld-trainer-error-caused-whale-attack-mentor/story?id=9952102

 

[Claudia1]

OK, I just realized that the video I had seen of her riding a whale was from 2005. Since Seaworld has banned that practice "for years", I'm guessing they no longer do it.

I just couldn't figure out how you can ride a whale without being in the tank with them. I understand the slide-out concept.

Sounds like a remarkable woman who truly loved her job.

 

[CathrynRose]

The former head trainer at Seaworld says that she was NOT in the water.

She was lying down on a 4-inch "slide out" that the trainers stand on when interacting with the whales.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/seaworld-trainer-error-caused-whale-attack-mentor/story?id=9952102

Yeah - but laying on this slide out made her "in the water" - KWIM? Only her head was above (according to the video I watched)

 

[Aisling]

I read that orcas (killer whales) aren't actually whales, but the largest species of dolphin.

 

[TheZue]

I read that orcas (killer whales) aren't actually whales, but the largest species of dolphin.

Yup. And the name killer whale actually started not because they are big scary mean whales, but because they kill whales and it was a mistranslation from another language of "whale killer".

 

[KBF]

.

 

[luvsJack]

Report on CNN just stated that Tilly will not be removed from Sea World. The Pres of Sea World stated that Tilly is a part of their team and will remain a part of their team. He said that Tilly is an amazing animal and that no other facility in the world would have been able to take him.

The shows will resume today but without any trainer getting in the water. Going by the last show we saw, I can't imagine how they are going to do the show at all.

From that last post and Sea World's response it sounds like Tilly is not to blame for the past incidents. The report said that this trainer's death is still being investigated.