Female trainer killed by whale at SeaWorld during public show

**Hellsbells** · February 24th, 2010, 04:33 PM

One person is dead at SeaWorld's Shamu Stadium, following an incident this afternoon, an Orange County Sheriff's Office official confirmed.

Orange County Fire Rescue responded to SeaWorld's Shamu Stadium this afternoon on report of a person who was not breathing.

Details about the incident are not yet available, but a Sheriff's Office official confirmed it is a death investigation.

A local TV station is reporting that a female trainer was killed after she was grabbed by one of the theme park's whales at the start of a public show.

Park guest Victoria Biniak told Local 6 that the trainer was a veteran of SeaWorld and had just finished explaining to the audience the show they were about to see.

At that point, Biniak said, the whale came up from the water, grabbed the trainer around the waste and "thrashed her all around" to the point the trainer's shoe fell off.

Guests were evacuated and were later told the park was shut down, Biniak told Local 6.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/st...=breaking_news

**penelopejo** · February 24th, 2010, 04:39 PM

Free Willy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

snicker.

Anyways, I feel bad for the kids. They will no longer think Shamu is cool.

**Undeniable Truth** · February 24th, 2010, 04:43 PM

Fuck that. I'm still taking my kids to see Shamu next summer.

**Athena** · February 24th, 2010, 04:51 PM

Them's the breaks. These things aren't called Killer Whales for nothing. I feel sorry for individuals who die at the hands of captive animals usually, as I'm sure their intention was never to hurt the animals, but that's what happens when you keep large animals captive and then make them do tricks.

**DingDang** · February 24th, 2010, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by Athena

Them's the breaks. These things aren't called Killer Whales for nothing. I feel sorry for individuals who die at the hands of captive animals usually, as I'm sure their intention was never to hurt the animals, but that's what happens when you keep large animals captive and then make them do tricks.

Exactly. Of course it's awful that this woman was killed, but I'm sure she knew of the risks involved. I hope this whale is not demonized by morons or harmed in any other way. It was just...you know, being a WHALE.

**Valasca** · February 24th, 2010, 05:37 PM

I was coming here to post this story and to say... GO WHALE!
Whales should not be in captivity.

**Gidget** · February 24th, 2010, 08:26 PM

Her name was Dawn Brancheau.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2...breathing.html

**Aslan** · February 24th, 2010, 10:17 PM

Screw whales. Otters are cooler.
Anyway, saw this

Whale Incidents At SeaWorld

Including Wednesday, there have been 22 incidents since the early 70s involving whales at SeaWorld.

On Feb. 21, 1991, Keltie Byrene, 20, slipped and fell into the Tilikum whale pool. She was dragged, screaming across the pool and repeatedly submerged. Other trainers attempted to rescue her, but she eventually drowned.

In July 5, 1999, a man hid inside SeaWorld Orlando after it closed and then jumped in with the Tilikum whale tank. He was found dead the next morning.

Back in 1999, even the trainers were saying Tilikum had a history of this sort of thing.

"We do not consider this a safe animal for our own trainers to interact with in the water,” SeaWorld Vice President Vic Abbey said in 1999. “He has had a history before coming to SeaWorld Orlando.”

In November 2006 at SeaWorld San Diego, an orca whale pulled trainer Ken Peters, 39, below the surface by his foot. Peters eventually managed to safely exit the pool.

In July 2004 at SeaWorld San Antonio, trainer Steve Aibel was attacked for several minutes during a show. Amazingly, he was not hurt.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2...breathing.html

**Chaindrive** · February 24th, 2010, 10:20 PM

This is very sad.

**Ninja0980** · February 25th, 2010, 11:04 AM

It appears the whale Tillikum.. has a bit of a "record"

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AmazingAni...ory?id=9934382

you can read the whole article for yourselves but take note of this little gem...

Though it's the third time Tillikum has been involved in a human's death, there are reportedly no plans to take the massive animal out of the show.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. A lot of these deaths have to do more with stupidity on the human's part than the animals themselves.
Making an Orca do tricks or jump through hoops won't change the fact it's still the top ocean predator and the only animal other than humans that can kill a great white. And it didn't get that way by being nice and friendly. Wild animals are wild animals and no amount of training or establishing "friendships" is going to change that.

**MissKerosene** · February 25th, 2010, 11:13 AM

I feel for her family I truly do because the loss of any loved one is a terrible thing. I saw on the News an interview with her sister who said she thought of the whales as her children and loved them dearly. So my condolences in that respect.

But as has been said so many times previously on this thread, these beautiful intelligent animals should not be in captivity and used for our own entertainment and when they are things like this will inevitably happen.

I am a huge believer in animal rights and Zoo's, Seaworld, anywhere that keeps wild animals for the sole purpose of entertainment is just asking for trouble.

Don't get me wrong I am well aware that many zoo's do great work in saving endangered species and promoting further breeding of these animals, but not all of the animals in zoo's are at risk.

Even domesticated animals lash out and kill at times so why would anyone be surprised, that a whale who is so very far from being domesticated would do this.

If I was made to act like some performing monkey daily and have no freedom I would most certainly lash out at the first opportunity.

**Dakota Valkyrie** · February 25th, 2010, 11:16 AM

I don't blame the whale for it's history. One was a group of whales that thought a human was a toy. Other trainers tried to stop it but the whales were doing what they had been trained to - play with a toy. The other was a dude who stripped to his skivvies and hopped in. He died of hypothermia.

Whales are huge. They can hurt or kill without intending to. No one can read their minds so it's kinda hard to figure out what they were doing with humans. For all we know, they are just being overly friendly.

**Silvahalo** · February 25th, 2010, 11:27 AM

I was actually at the park the day this one occurred.

In July 2004 at SeaWorld San Antonio, trainer Steve Aibel was attacked for several minutes during a show. Amazingly, he was not hurt.

So very sad. Even with the risks involved this trainer didn't mean harm to this animals. She probably never thought this would actually happen to her and likely loved Tillikum. However, I do agree entirely that these animals should not be held captive.

Rest in peace Dawn Brancheau, my sympathies to family and friends.

**DingDang** · February 25th, 2010, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Chaindrive

This is very sad.

It is, on so many levels. I have no doubt Dawn Brancheau loved the whales she worked with with all her heart and soul.

While it doesn't surprise me that SeaWorld kept Tilikum working (after all, one must earn their keep, right?

), it still really angers me. I look at it this way: Say you had a coworker who had a documented history of violence in the workplace. It is clear as day that said person is a real danger to everyone, yet they are allowed to continue working (by management, whoever), to save the bottom line. Sure enough, violent coworker comes in and kills someone. It was just a matter of time.

To me, SeaWorld may as well be shouting, "We don't give a fuck about the safety of our employees (human and animal)!" from a megaphone. Again, it doesn't suprise me, but I find it disheartening. SeaWorld has an opportunity here to step up to the plate and do the right thing (retire Tilikum and ensure that he lives the rest of his life comfortably), but last time I checked, hell hadn't frozen over.

This is why SeaWorld/Circuses, etc., will never get one red cent from me. It is my opinion that they are in the business of slavery. I don't care how they dress it up.

I am not passing judgement on anyone who chooses to go to SeaWorld, truly. It's not my place to tell anyone what to do with their time or money. I totally understand why people love SeaWorld. It is breathtaking to watch the various performances, even magical. Especially for a child. For me though, one wonderful memory of a SeaWorld show is not worth the death of another person/animal, or the ruination of an animal's life.

Rest in Peace, Dawn Brancheau.

**Pete Bondurant** · February 25th, 2010, 05:39 PM

Harpoon it.....

**Dneilz** · February 25th, 2010, 06:53 PM

Whales do not belong in pools being required to do tricks..... they belong in the Ocean where they can get their needs met on their own. They certainly can not be all they can be when stuck being entertainers like monkeys in a circus.

I am sorry to hear she lost her life, but it is all in vein if they don't make changes to reflect what they know; whales do not belong in captivity. Period!

Shame on Sea World. I have never (and been to Florida 4 times for Disney) and will never spend a dollar at Sea World.

**Deja** · February 25th, 2010, 07:00 PM

Tourist video of whale and trainer in the moments before fatal attack
http://www.wesh.com/video/22671481/i...tml/index.html

I thought the trainers weren't allowed in the water with this particular whale? She was in there, but from what I've heard, that's not how the attack happened.

**Marv** · February 25th, 2010, 08:00 PM

Autopsy results released.

Autopsy determines multiple traumatic injuries and drowing to be the probable cause of death to Sea World trainer

http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2...ults-released/

**Aslan** · February 25th, 2010, 08:43 PM

The casual swing of a ponytail was likely what caused a killer whale in Orlando's SeaWorld to attack and drown an experienced trainer before the terrified eyes of dozens of bystanders, a SeaWorld official said today.
Chuck Tompkins says Tillikum the killer whale is a good animal, "not depressed."

"What we have found out is that Dawn [Brancheau] had just finished up a very good session with this animal. ... She was interacting with him, petting him on the nose," Chuck Tompkins, curator of zoological operations at SeaWorld Orlando, told "Good Morning America." "Dawn had very long hair in a ponytail. That ponytail had swung in front of him. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her underwater and held her underwater."

Eyewitnesses could see clearly through the viewing glass as the 12,000 pound killer whale named Tillikum thrashed Brancheau viciously underwater.

"We thought it was part of the act," said tourist Wayne Gillespie, who was at the killer whale show with his wife and two children. "We thought maybe they were playing together until we realized he was thrashing around pretty hard. That's how we knew something was wrong."

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AmazingAni...ory?id=9934382

**Silvahalo** · February 26th, 2010, 01:11 AM

I read and heard on video that Tillikum was agitated as he was put in a holding cell after the performance ended. Wonder if the small confining area made him feel aggressive? needless to say living in captivity is aggravating enough I would think and Tillikum was the largest killer whale there and was used mostly for "show", splashing tourists, and other awe factors.

So sad. In this video you get a real deep sense of the tragedy co-workers and friends are feeling. I feel so terrible for them and of course Dawn who was killed by an animal she deeply loved, some say as a mother would a child.

**Aslan** · February 26th, 2010, 01:38 AM

Tillikum has been responsible (or at least party to) at least 2 deaths.
If he were a dog there would be no question as to whether or not he should remain alive.

Set him free. Put him in the ocean and say goodbye.
I understand that 'well we've tamed him so much that he can't survive' but fuck that noise. He certainly knows how to be a predator.
Let him go, quit trying to play God with animals that have no business being in tiny spaces in the first place and focus your energy elsewhere.

Again, if this were a dog he would have been put down after kill #1.

**Ninja0980** · February 27th, 2010, 02:29 AM

My question is this... what the hell does a killer whale,elephant or any other wild animal need a trainer for? So they can perform tricks for us while living in crappy conditions?
I'm not an PETA nutcase by any means but I hate when animals get blamed for actions mostly caused by humans.
People building cabins and homes in the woods and mountains and complain about wild animals like cougars and bears being a nuisance. Gee, you take away more of their habitat and food supply, yet seem shocked at them breaking into your places for food.
People will tease animals and seem shocked when they actually fight back.
I'm sorry for Dawn's death.. I really am.. but when take a wild animal and treat it like a pet or try to make it do tricks... it's your own damn fault if you get attacked.

**Dakota Valkyrie** · February 27th, 2010, 09:04 AM

Just a question... but how is a captive whale any different than a captive dog? One can argue that it's OK because they have been domesticated BUT that was not always the case. They were once wild, too. Just because it was generations ago, doesn't really change it. Generations from now, the offspring of Tilly will be in the same position.

Just thinking and wondering... not necessarily what I believe.

**Jaded** · March 3rd, 2010, 11:05 PM

The American Family Association, a religious right group, is urging that Tillikum (Tilly), the killer whale that killed a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando, be put down, preferably by stoning. Citing Tilly's history of violent altercations, the group is slamming SeaWorld for not listening to Scripture in how to deal with the animal:

Says the ancient civil code of Israel, "When an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner shall not be liable." (Exodus 21:28)

However, the group is going further and laying the blame for the trainer's death directly at the feet of Chuck Thompson, the curator in charge of animal behavior, because, according to Scripture,

But, the Scripture soberly warns, if one of your animals kills a second time because you didn't kill it after it claimed its first human victim, this time you die right along with your animal. To use the example from Exodus, if your ox kills a second time, "the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death." (Exodus 21:29)

SeaWorld has no plans to execute Tilly.

Link

**Pazuzu** · March 3rd, 2010, 11:08 PM

Stone a fucking orca. I have officially heard it all now.

**Undeniable Truth** · March 3rd, 2010, 11:14 PM

Holy shit. That would be funny if it weren't just so fucking lame.

**MC30** · March 3rd, 2010, 11:43 PM

do wha?
are they going to throw the rocks in the pool and hope they drift down and hit the whale?
i gotta watch this shit.

**Silvahalo** · March 4th, 2010, 12:22 AM

Stone a killer whale? better pic some damn, big rocks!!

Seriously, I heard on the news today the details on her last moments.
Trainer was on her belly on the concrete facing Tilly real close suddenly she is pulled by the hair and taken under water. They try in vain to corner Tilly, use the net but not until some time do they succeed. The trainer was in Tilly's mouth and as she was removed her arm was stuck. People saw this, like something out of the ORCA movie.....so terrible.

**MC30** · March 4th, 2010, 12:35 AM

Trainer was on her belly on the concrete facing Tilly real close suddenly she is pulled by the hair and taken under water

silva thank you. i really haven't been keeping up with this and in all gawds honesty i thought she had been standing up and this was some crazy human killing whale.
really. when i imagine the true situation i can see how this could happen. in fact, given that info, im supprised it dosen't happen more often. her hair could have very close to the water (maybe looking like a training/reward fish (kwim)) and the whale did what it did.

**Aslan** · March 4th, 2010, 03:58 AM

Stoning a whale? Awesome. I think that organization just bought themselves publicity that not even a harpoon could get them out of.
At least now concerned sons and daughters will be able to add that to the list of 'why you should not send half of your social security monthly pension to these people mom/dad'.