Possible Deadly Accident at Sea World

[Ehwmatt]

Don't fuck with Shamu, as Voyager said

[Don]

The killer whale, known as Tilikum, was reportedly involved in several incidents in the past.

One involved the death of another trainer in 1991 while Tilikum was performing in British Columbia, Canada.

After the whale - nicknamed Telly - was sold to SeaWorld Orlando it was involved in a second incident when authorities discovered the body of a naked man lying across his back in 1999.

Officials later concluded the man, who had either snuck into SeaWorld after hours or hidden in the park until it closed, most likely drowned after suffering instant hypothermia.

There have been incidents involving other whales at SeaWorld.

In November 2006, trainer Kenneth Peters was bitten and held underwater by a 7,000lb (3,000kg) female killer whale during a show at SeaWorld's San Diego park. He escaped with a broken foot.

In 2004 another whale at the company's San Antonio park attempted to bite a trainer, but he too escaped.

Though called a killer whale, the orca (Orcinus orca), is actually the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family.

Animal rights group Peta says it has long been asking SeaWorld to stop taking wild, ocean-going mammals and confining them to an area that, to them, is "the size of a bathtub".

[steveo777]

The killer whale, known as Tilikum, was reportedly involved in several incidents in the past.

One involved the death of another trainer in 1991 while Tilikum was performing in British Columbia, Canada.

After the whale - nicknamed Telly - was sold to SeaWorld Orlando it was involved in a second incident when authorities discovered the body of a naked man lying across his back in 1999.

Officials later concluded the man, who had either snuck into SeaWorld after hours or hidden in the park until it closed, most likely drowned after suffering instant hypothermia.

There have been incidents involving other whales at SeaWorld.

In November 2006, trainer Kenneth Peters was bitten and held underwater by a 7,000lb (3,000kg) female killer whale during a show at SeaWorld's San Diego park. He escaped with a broken foot.

In 2004 another whale at the company's San Antonio park attempted to bite a trainer, but he too escaped.

Though called a killer whale, the orca (Orcinus orca), is actually the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family.

Animal rights group Peta says it has long been asking SeaWorld to stop taking wild, ocean-going mammals and confining them to an area that, to them, is "the size of a bathtub".

I agree with this. While it is entertaining to watch these shows, how are we to expect these animals who are accustomed to having free reign of the ocean to deal with pent up anxiety caused by their captivity to small spaces?

[Ehwmatt]

Animal rights group Peta says it has long been asking SeaWorld to stop taking wild, ocean-going mammals and confining them to an area that, to them, is "the size of a bathtub".

While I sympathize with this, these sick fucks are going to take this tragic death of someone who undoubtedly loved animals herself and turn it into ammo for their animal loving agenda. Look, I love animals too and I've always had pets, but the loss of a human life should be the focal point, not the "tragic" conditions of the whale here.

[Don]

So, does the three strikes law apply for Tilikum?

[steveo777]

Animal rights group Peta says it has long been asking SeaWorld to stop taking wild, ocean-going mammals and confining them to an area that, to them, is "the size of a bathtub".

While I sympathize with this, these sick fucks are going to take this tragic death of someone who undoubtedly loved animals herself and turn it into ammo for their animal loving agenda. Look, I love animals too and I've always had pets, but the loss of a human life should be the focal point, not the "tragic" conditions of the whale here.

I agree with your point too and my post up above is in no way meant to minimize this tragic loss of life. The part I agree with is that these animals shouldn't be kept in small places and made to perform. Just my opinion, though..

[Ehwmatt]

Animal rights group Peta says it has long been asking SeaWorld to stop taking wild, ocean-going mammals and confining them to an area that, to them, is "the size of a bathtub".

While I sympathize with this, these sick fucks are going to take this tragic death of someone who undoubtedly loved animals herself and turn it into ammo for their animal loving agenda. Look, I love animals too and I've always had pets, but the loss of a human life should be the focal point, not the "tragic" conditions of the whale here.

I agree with your point too and my post up above is in no way meant to minimize this tragic loss of life. The part I agree with is that these animals shouldn't be kept in small places and made to perform. Just my opinion, though..

I agree with that too, don't get me wrong. But the difference is, neither of us is salivating at the loss of a human life to make our point about animals in zoos/captivity like these PETA fucks are.

[Behshad]

Stop fucking agreeing with eachother for fucks sake. Is this MR or fucking a UN meeting.
Grow balls. Duke it out. Make it interesting.

now , Who's with me ?!

[Don]

I think Tilikum should be released to the wild. His rap Sheet now includes three deaths. Dude needs to be let OUT of the yard.

[DrFU]

I think Tilikum should be released to the wild. His rap Sheet now includes three deaths. Dude needs to be let OUT of the yard.

He wouldn't make it; lived in captivity 26 years; he has no hunting skills, no pod to hang out with.

"Free Telly" is, unfortunately, only viable in Hollywood.

[parfait]

Stop fucking agreeing with eachother for fucks sake. Is this MR or fucking a UN meeting.
Grow balls. Duke it out. Make it interesting.

now , Who's with me ?!

Shut the fuck up!

[Babyblue]

Stop fucking agreeing with eachother for fucks sake. Is this MR or fucking a UN meeting.
Grow balls. Duke it out. Make it interesting.

now , Who's with me ?!

Shut the fuck up!

[Babyblue]

Well my uncle can't even talk on the phone right now because he's in tears and he has to be strong for the guests. I really don't want to hear about animal rights crap right now, but thanks

I am so sorry hon.I do hope your Uncle is doing a little better. Please keep us updated if you will?I will be praying for everyone there.I know this has to be a hard time for all.

[Behshad]

Stop fucking agreeing with eachother for fucks sake. Is this MR or fucking a UN meeting.
Grow balls. Duke it out. Make it interesting.

now , Who's with me ?!

Shut the fuck up!

I fucking see your French and raise you a Russian.

[StevePerryHair]

Well my uncle can't even talk on the phone right now because he's in tears and he has to be strong for the guests. I really don't want to hear about animal rights crap right now, but thanks

I am so sorry hon.I do hope your Uncle is doing a little better. Please keep us updated if you will?I will be praying for everyone there.I know this has to be a hard time for all.

thank you. He was there at the scene during the chaos and it was horrific for him, as it was for all the employees who were there and knew her. He knew her for years and he said they always say someone is "the sweetest person" but he said she WAS. I will put my focus on praying for those animal trainers who treat those animals like their children and her family instead of the animal rights crap. I get the circus stuff. Fine, circus people may mistreat them. Seaworld treats those animals probably better than it's employees. Those animals are loved and many of them were injured and would have died. it's just a sad and tragic thing.

[Babyblue]

Stop fucking agreeing with eachother for fucks sake. Is this MR or fucking a UN meeting.
Grow balls. Duke it out. Make it interesting.

now , Who's with me ?!

Shut the fuck up!

I fucking see your French and raise you a Russian.

B you are so funny.

[Babyblue]

Well my uncle can't even talk on the phone right now because he's in tears and he has to be strong for the guests. I really don't want to hear about animal rights crap right now, but thanks

I am so sorry hon.I do hope your Uncle is doing a little better. Please keep us updated if you will?I will be praying for everyone there.I know this has to be a hard time for all.

thank you. He was there at the scene during the chaos and it was horrific for him, as it was for all the employees who were there and knew her. He knew her for years and he said they always say someone is "the sweetest person" but he said she WAS. I will put my focus on praying for those animal trainers who treat those animals like their children and her family instead of the animal rights crap. I get the circus stuff. Fine, circus people may mistreat them. Seaworld treats those animals probably better than it's employees. Those animals are loved and many of them were injured and would have died. it's just a sad and tragic thing.

Yes please over look what is being said.With that i know the people there love them you can tell.I have been to the one in Orlando and you just feel it from them.That is sad it had to happen to her.My prayers are for her faimly at home and at work.And i do agree with everything you have said hon.

[bluejeangirl76]

Stop fucking agreeing with eachother for fucks sake. Is this MR or fucking a UN meeting.
Grow balls. Duke it out. Make it interesting.

now , Who's with me ?!

Shut the fuck up!

I fucking see your French and raise you a Russian.

While we're in a trouble causing mood, may I add, screw France AND double screw Russia.
Their Olympians are arrogant whining sore ass losers who should really learn the concept of both sportsmanship and of "STFU".

[Rockindeano]

I think Tilikum should be released to the wild. His rap Sheet now includes three deaths. Dude needs to be let OUT of the yard.

He wouldn't make it; lived in captivity 26 years; he has no hunting skills, no pod to hang out with.

"Free Telly" is, unfortunately, only viable in Hollywood.

You really think so Linda? After all, dude is KILLER whale. Seems to me he could get by a little bit and ultimately find a pod to hang with. You make a good point though.

[Babyblue]

I was watching CNN last nite and someone was talking about what happened.Someone that worked there and talking about Dwan, i believe that was her name.Had some video of her in and interview & showing what she did.She was a beautifilul lady and did something i could not do.

RIP
Dawn

[Babyblue]

OMG!!! I have seen this whale before when i was in Orlando and Dawn, years ago .She had worked for Sea world 17years.And after all is said and done the whale will be back performing.

RIP
Dawn

[DrFU]

I think Tilikum should be released to the wild. His rap Sheet now includes three deaths. Dude needs to be let OUT of the yard.

He wouldn't make it; lived in captivity 26 years; he has no hunting skills, no pod to hang out with.

"Free Telly" is, unfortunately, only viable in Hollywood.

You really think so Linda? After all, dude is KILLER whale. Seems to me he could get by a little bit and ultimately find a pod to hang with. You make a good point though.

Tens of millions of dollars was spent trying to rehabilitate and release the real whale in the Free Willy movies. He ended up hanging out around people in a village in Norway and then died of pneumonia: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/152384_keiko13.html

They are very social creatures; the whale a Seaworld probably loved his trainer but just had a moment when instincts took over. It's a very sad situation for everyone involved. Condolences to the trainer's family and everyone at Seaworld.

[StevePerryHair]

I think Tilikum should be released to the wild. His rap Sheet now includes three deaths. Dude needs to be let OUT of the yard.

He wouldn't make it; lived in captivity 26 years; he has no hunting skills, no pod to hang out with.

"Free Telly" is, unfortunately, only viable in Hollywood.

You really think so Linda? After all, dude is KILLER whale. Seems to me he could get by a little bit and ultimately find a pod to hang with. You make a good point though.

Tens of millions of dollars was spent trying to rehabilitate and release the real whale in the Free Willy movies. He ended up hanging out around people in a village in Norway and then died of pneumonia: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/152384_keiko13.html

They are very social creatures; the whale a Seaworld probably loved his trainer but just had a moment when instincts took over. It's a very sad situation for everyone involved. Condolences to the trainer's family and everyone at Seaworld.

Yes, exactly. And they weren't allowed in the water with Tili for several years now. But they felt sorry for him because he was taken away from people and other whales, so Im sure thats why theyd still reach in to touch him now and then. It's so sad. Im praying for all of them because I know personally how much they are all suffering over this and will be for a long time:(

[Rip Rokken]

The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog ...he's a legend!!

NI !!!

[Rip Rokken]

Well my uncle can't even talk on the phone right now because he's in tears and he has to be strong for the guests. I really don't want to hear about animal rights crap right now, but thanks

Really sorry to hear this, Lynn. That's got to be very rough. Hope they find some comfort soon.

[Eric]

Who named it Till it kum?

One story said foul play hasn't been ruled out?

[Babyblue]

I think Tilikum should be released to the wild. His rap Sheet now includes three deaths. Dude needs to be let OUT of the yard.

He wouldn't make it; lived in captivity 26 years; he has no hunting skills, no pod to hang out with.

"Free Telly" is, unfortunately, only viable in Hollywood.

You really think so Linda? After all, dude is KILLER whale. Seems to me he could get by a little bit and ultimately find a pod to hang with. You make a good point though.

Tens of millions of dollars was spent trying to rehabilitate and release the real whale in the Free Willy movies. He ended up hanging out around people in a village in Norway and then died of pneumonia: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/152384_keiko13.html

They are very social creatures; the whale a Seaworld probably loved his trainer but just had a moment when instincts took over. It's a very sad situation for everyone involved. Condolences to the trainer's family and everyone at Seaworld.

I believe that as well because of her long hair.

RIP

Dawn

[Don]

Killer whales: What to do with captive orcas?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_ne ... 536184.stm

The recent attack by a captive orca on its trainer at a SeaWorld facility in Orlando, Florida, has again raised questions about our relationship with these top marine predators.

No-one knows what triggered the latest incident, and experts agree that it is almost impossible to determine why the orca, called Tilikum, reacted as it did.

But it does highlight the tensions that occur when we choose to interact closely with these huge animals.

It is also debatable what to do with those orcas, also known as killer whales, that remain in captivity.

"They are highly social animals that tend to live in cohesive groups, so it's quite an artificial environment to capture them and put them in a small area," says Dr Andrew Foote, an expert on wild orcas from the University of Aberdeen, UK

"The tragic events are a reminder that orcas are wild, strong and often unpredictable animals," says Danny Groves, of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS).

Reports differ, but there have been up to 24 attacks by captive orcas on people.

Contrary to popular perception, attacks by wild orcas on people have also been recorded, though no-one has been hurt.

Researcher Chris Pierpoint of the Marine Mammal Observer Association was working in Antarctica when he once subjected to a rather sophisticated, planned attack by a group of orcas.

Wild orcas in the region cooperate to hunt by swimming together towards seals resting on ice floes.

As they do so, they create a bow wave that washes the hapless seal from the ice and into the water.

"Chris Pierpoint had that done to him when in a rib in Antarctica," says Dr Foote, though he wasn't thrown overboard.

"A famous incidence occurred in the 1960s when a surfer was knocked off his board, but he was fine, the whale didn't bite."

A couple of years ago in Alaska, a child swimming in the sea also described how an orca made a bee-line toward him, before aborting a supposed attack at the last minute.

One idea is that air bubbles in neoprene wetsuits can confuse the echolocation of orcas, so they do not realise that they are approaching a person.

But the scarcity of such attacks underlines the difficulty in pinpointing their cause.

"It's really isolated incidences. Killer whales live in cold water so they don't overlap with people much," says Dr Foote.

What the latest attack by a captive orca reveals is just how little we still know about the animals, in captivity and in the wild.

For example, we are only just glimpsing how intelligent orcas really are and the complexity of their society.

However, few insights come from studying captive whales, though some have helped reveal their acoustic behaviour.

"The science doesn't justify the captivity. One thing I would hope is that this unfortunate incident might lead to a considered discussion on phasing out these marine parks."

So what can or should be done with captive orcas?

One option would be to prevent further deaths by restricting trainers from encroaching too close to the poolside.

Another would be to put down any whale considered too dangerous to be kept in captivity.

The final option, and that which on the surface appears the most palatable from an animals rights perspective, is to release those whales still in captivity back into the wild.

The WDCS has repeatedly called for captive whales to be returned, not least because captivity appears to drastically reduce their life expectancy.

But that is not as simple as it sounds.

A study published by US and Danish scientists last year in the journal Marine Mammal Science documents the attempts to return a killer whale named Keiko from captivity back to the ocean.

Captured in 1979 as a near two-year-old calf, Keiko found fame as the star of the 1993 family film Free Willy, after which public pressure grew to release him back to the wild.

Training for his reintroduction began in 1996, and after 2000 his trainers began taking him out into the sea on open ocean swims designed to prepare him for a wild life.

But Keiko rarely interacted with wild orcas, and never integrated into a wild pod.

He also struggled to learn how to hunt, making shallower and less frequent dives than wild whales.

Eventually, and despite the best efforts of his trainers, he could not break his need for human contact, and kept following or returning to the trainers' boat.

Keiko eventually died, still semi-captive in 2003.

"The release of Keiko demonstrated that release of long-term captive animals is especially challenging and while we as humans might find it appealing to free a long-term captive animal, the survival and well being of the animal may be severely impacted in doing so," the report's authors write.

[StevePerryHair]

Well my uncle can't even talk on the phone right now because he's in tears and he has to be strong for the guests. I really don't want to hear about animal rights crap right now, but thanks

Really sorry to hear this, Lynn. That's got to be very rough. Hope they find some comfort soon.

thank you, me too:(

[Saint John]

Lots of local coverage as she went to High School in Merrilville, Indiana. It's about 20 miles from where I live and I play sotball there at Hidden Lake in the summer.