![]() Needless to say, anytime a person willingly puts themselves into a tank with one of these animals, they are immediately putting themselves at risk. It seems only natural that they would need to unleash that wild side at some point. They are large, carnivorous mammals and there is always that wild instinct in them, no matter how long they may live in captivity. ![]() Knowing these things about the orcas (and assuming the people that work with them know, too), you would think this would be anticipated. They hunt in packs (or pods) and to watch them kill is not a pretty sight. ![]() Although the killer whale (or orca) is actually a member of the dolphin family, it still has a taste for blood. I can’t help but question the methods involved with these animals. Are they being mistreated? Are they sick of being captive? Maybe they’re tired of all the tricks they’re forced to do. It really makes you wonder why all these whales are attacking their trainers. It’s just hard to fathom that this has happened.” Nobody cares more about the animal than the trainer. They exhibit this type of behavior in the wild. These are very large, powerful marine mammals. Both of these trainers survived their attacks however, one trainer at a Spanish zoo was not so lucky-they drowned last December.Īccording to Steve McCulloch, founder and program manager of the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Program at Harbor Branch/Florida Atlantic University: Another incident occurred at the San Diego SeaWorld in 2006, when a whale bit and held a trainer underwater during a show. One whale attempted to hit and bite a trainer at the San Antonio SeaWorld in 2004. There are other accounts of captive killer whales attacking people. However, don’t pin all the blame on Tilikum. There was also an incident at Sealand of the Pacific in British Columbia, where Tilikum was one of 3 whales suspected of killing a trainer in 1991. He was later found draped over Tilikum’s body. ![]() In 1999, another SeaWorld incident happened, when a man went past security and either fell, jumped, or was pulled into the water. This is not the first time Tilikum killed people. Unfortunately, it may also be Tilikum’s, as well. One thing is for sure: that will be Brancheau’s final performance. Others claim Brancheau was grabbed by the upper arm and tossed around while the whale swam around the tank. One audience member claimed the whale “took off really fast in the tank, and then he came back, shot up in the air, grabbed the trainer by the waist, and started thrashing around, and one of her shoes flew off”. Many spectators were asked what happened most gave varying accounts. Tilikum would be the orca that comes out when the trainers and audience chant “Shamu” during the park’s “Believe” show. If you’ve been to the Orlando SeaWorld in recent years, you most likely saw the whale in action. Dawn Brancheau, a leading trainer at the park, had worked at the park for 12 years, 10 of which involved working with the whales. The attack happened right in front of the audience and the trainer was no beginner. Yesterday, Tilikum attacked and killed a trainer at the Orlando-based SeaWorld. Tilikum the killer whale seems to feel the same way. Yeah, I’d feel like I got a pretty raw deal, too. All you get out of it is some stinking fish. Imagine: bright flashing lights, being confined to the same small tank day in and day out, and having to perform ridiculous tricks for the entertainment of others. These organizations help keep track of our favorite orcas while helping to protect them.Living in captivity is not all it’s cracked up to be. There are several organizations concerned with the welfare of orcas. On Shamu the Whale Day, people now gather support for killer whales that live in uncomfortable conditions. The holiday is now recognized more for the awareness it creates about orcas and other large sea mammals. However, orcas fare better in their natural habitats, and people are now encouraged to watch documentaries about orcas or find a way to visit their world, instead of going to parks to see them. After her death, Shamu the Whale Day became a holiday for people to go to SeaWorld Parks and watch great performances from other killer whales. The holiday is celebrated in honor of the first Shamu. That’s why Shamu the Whale Day is now celebrated on September 26 every year. September 26 became significant because it celebrated the first surviving baby Shamu in 1985. SeaWorld eventually went to trademark the name “Shamu,” and has since used it to attract people to their events. When the original Shamu died in 1971, subsequent stars of the show were given the name as the title. Despite being called killer whales, orcas are mostly harmless and are very fun to watch. Many people came from around the country to watch the beautiful performances of Shamu. It was the star of a show, organized by SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. The first Shamu was a Whale that rose to prominence in the late 1960s.
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