Killer Whale kills trainer

[shellhead]

I worked at Seaworld Orlando about 12 Years ago, and knew Dawn ( the trainer ) very well . She loved those whales with all her heart , and would always have time to talk to anyone about them, no matter what the question might be.
Tilly the whale is very old and had been in poor health in the Canadian aquariam he was rescued fromm by Seaworld. Altho the had nursed him back to health he has lost almost all of his teeth, and is hand fed by the trainers.
Without his teeth, Tilly would not survive in the wild.

RIP Dawn, she was an absolute sweetheart.

[megoapesnut]

BTW...there's not one single human fatality by a killer whale in the wild...not one single incident in recorded history.

That alone speaks volumes about the anguish these captive specimens go through.

Brings to mind the movie "Orca"

[Johnny]

Very sad story.

The term Killer Whale is a bit of a misnomer. It originally came from Killer Of Whales or Whale Killers. This due to the fact that they have been known to hunt and attack other whales even whales larger than themselves.

The film Orca did not help to dissuade people's opinion of them as vicious killers. As stated earlier there has not been a single known attack on a human being by a Killer Whale in the wild.

Even the term whale is not entirely accurate for these magnicificent creatures they are in fact classified as dolphins. My heart goes out to the friends and family of this poor woman.

From what I have read she seemed to genuinely love these incredible creatures.

[bizzaro megomauler]

Whale kills trainer as horrified spectators watch - Yahoo! News

I feel sorry for the trainer and her family of course...but I don't blame this majestic creature one bit.

Killer Whales are highly intelligent and social animals...a tiny water tank is like a prison cell for them...they were meant to roam the vast oceans, hunting prey...not doing silly human tricks.

Having said that...this particular whale was not a "show" whale...he was the stud...the primary sire male for breeding...trainers never swam with him on actual performance shows...but he's been taught to swim around the tank and splash the audience with lots of water.

Terrible incident for all parties involved.

Hector, I agree 1000% If we were caged, would we not fight kill and die for our freedom? Why should animals not be entitled to the same law of nature?

[bizzaro megomauler]

I worked at Seaworld Orlando about 12 Years ago, and knew Dawn ( the trainer ) very well . She loved those whales with all her heart , and would always have time to talk to anyone about them, no matter what the question might be.
Tilly the whale is very old and had been in poor health in the Canadian aquariam he was rescued fromm by Seaworld. Altho the had nursed him back to health he has lost almost all of his teeth, and is hand fed by the trainers.
Without his teeth, Tilly would not survive in the wild.

RIP Dawn, she was an absolute sweetheart.

Great story. When someone takes the time to care about the creatures, they know the risks, and faults that are associated. I am sure she does not blame the whale. Sad all in all, very sad.

[Gorn Captain]

It always saddens me to see animals in cages.
Tigers pacing up an down in a 15 foot wide enclosure.
I never go to our national zoo anymore, too depressing.

If we, as a species, didn't hunt othere species to extinction, all those cages wouldn't be necessary.
And if I want to see a lion, I'll watch Animal Planet.

Remember that Twilight Zone episode, where Roddy Mcdowall ends up in a cage in an alien zoo?
Well, that happens all the time here on Earth, with other species.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

Very sad, may she RIP.

[fallensaviour]

Very,very,very sad indeed.
Not the first time this whale has been the centre of this type of controversy.

[jp1969]

Feel bad for the lady and her family,but not the first trainer to die this way.Geuss she must have been aware of the risks.
As for the whale,I think its a normal reaction after going back and forth in that tank for so many years.Drive anyone nuts in my opinion.

[Joe90]

BTW...all the current whales in captivity...cannot be released to the wild now...they will die...then didn't learn how to hunt...these whales have to live the rest of their lives in captivity...like it or not.

This is no free Willy fairy tale.

Sad.

Agreed.

I also agree that these whales must be bored out of their skulls, but I question whether there was really intent to harm the trainers who have been killed.