Tilikum the Killer Whale turned killer again yesterday. He dragged 40-year old trainer Dawn Brancheau into the water and killed her in front of horrified spectators. Yesterday’s incident was not the first time this killer whale has killed. There have been 2 other incidents, one in British Columbia in 1991.
According to the Orlando Sentinal:
Witnesses told the Orlando Sentinel that the animal suddenly grabbed Brancheau by the upper arm, tossed her around in his mouth and pulled her beneath the water as dozens of tourists looked on in horror.
Trainer Dawn Brandheau was an experienced trainer and had worked with this animal many times before.
Sea World says it has no plans to put this animal down. Animal training experts were somewhat shocked by this news. Other animals who kill in captivity are usually euthanized as a matter of public safety. Lions and tigers, elephants, and other animals often kept in captivity are nearly always put down. Dogs are put down. Apparently Tilikum will not be.
Should any animal who has killed humans 3 times be euthanized? What should happen in this case? Frankly, I am shocked. I would think at the very least this animal would be returned to the wild. It is unclear if this animal was born in captivity or not.
I wouldn’t be on board with euthanizing the killer whale. I’m waiting to see if Obama’s Justice department arranges a trial in New York City for this Orca.
It’s foolish to pretend we’re not at war with theme-park Orcas, when they are clearly at war with us.
I say set the whale free. He’s sending us a message, and obviously, we aren’t listening.
Wait. Maybe Bob Marshall can help us interpret this.
What part of “Killer” in the name “Killer Whale” don’t people understand? The whale is doing what he does set him free.
I do like the idea of putting Bob Marshall in the tank with the Whale before we release him to see if biblical quotes might help the Whales attitude a bit.
Great point Opinion! What part of “killer” in the name “killer whale” do people not get. I have NEVER been in favor of killing a captive animal when they turn on their trainer. They are WILD, it is not the same as a domestic dog. I have said many times on this blog, I will NOT take my children to a circus with animals, I will NOT take them to sea world, I will not take them to a zoo unless it is a resuce zoo like Luray Zoo in Shenandoah. These animals are meant to be in an open sea, with thousands of miles of freedom, swimming along with their family pod.
Unfortunately it may not BE possible to set him free. He probably does not know how to hunt and care for himself.
@Elena
You know, Elena… you might be right. I’m wondering of a week or a month (even just a day) of freedom in the open seas might be preferable to a lifetime in captivity… I know it would be for me.
I would set him free. He should not pay for man’s mistakes. He is doing what his nature intends. It will happen again.
Dolphins and whales don’t adapt well to living in the wild if they have been born in captivity or spent many years there.
This being the case, what do you do with an animal who is unsafe to keep in captivity and who will obviously die if released?
Free Willie might not be the answer.
We all die eventually… when it’s in ten minutes, ten days, or ten years really doesn’t mean much. Let him go…
I really don’t think we have any insight into these creatures… and underestimate millions of years of evolutionary instincts… and their nature.
I would prefer not to do suicide by killer whale. I think he should be released and if he doesn’t make it, dead is dead. Perhaps there is a compelling reason not to do this. I am sure someone will tell me. I don’t think Sea World should keep him as an exibit though.
Opinion, you made an excellent point about what part of killer whale to people not understand. All wild animals are dangerous. People often act stupid when they get around them by forgetting this fact.
A killer whale will go right up on a beach after a seal. On a positive note, one of my best memories involves a whale watching tour off of Victoria, British Colombia. I made a mistake trying to take pictures and probably missed some great moments. We saw several pods that day. They swim right up to the boat. I did think about Jaws and Moby Dick as it happened. Wild animals and all.
Did Holder read this Orca his Maranda Rights? Is he talking? Do we think there would be anything to be gained by waterboarding this Orca? Or would he like it too much?