Posted on 03/30/2011 8:50:08 AM PDT by JoeProBono
The killer whale who mauled and drowned a female trainer at Orlando's SeaWorld last year will begin performing in front of crowds again on Wednesday.
Tilikum will participate in the park's main killer whale show, titled "Believe," SeaWorld officials said.
The whale has not performed since Feb. 24, 2010, when he snatched trainer Dawn Brancheau from a shallow pool ledge and thrashed her around underwater, killing the 40-year-old in front of a horrified audience.
The deaths made headlines worldwide, led SeaWorld to spend millions making safety upgrades and sparked federal and civil lawsuits against the water park.
SeaWorld Animal Training Curator Kelly Flaherty Clark said returning to performing was important to the animal's health.
"Participating in shows is just a portion of Tilikum's day, but we feel it is an important component of his physical, social and mental enrichment," Clark said in a statement.
SeaWorld said it has made adjustments to the way trainers interact with Tilikum.
For example, trainers would work with him from a distance and use high pressure water hoses to give him massages instead of their hands.
The six-ton bull orca's return to the stage comes at a delicate time for the company.
It is fighting a $70,000 citation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that accused the company of willfully endangering the lives of its killer whale trainers........
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
It shouldn’t be necessary to have to tell the trainers that this isn’t a cocker spaniel, and its called “Killer” whale for a reason.
The arrogance of man knows no bounds sometimes. Orcas are the top of the ocean food chain and we try to keep them in captivity and have them perform stupid tricks for the masses.
“Forget the herring, I’m going for the whole schmeer.” - The Far Side
What part of the words "Killer Whale" do they not comprehend?
So.... looks like their might be some more job openings in the Killer Whale Trainers area.
This animal should have been destroyed.
Yep, we should not be surprised when wild animals act like wild animals.
Eh... let morons be morons.
If you want to perform shows with sea life, you should, at least, pick a naturally sociable animal like a dolphin or a sea lion.
also, i think this is the same whale that was involved in another death back in 1999.
I guess it’s better than whale welfare where we pay his bills for the rest of his life.
Those trainers who work with that whale must be akin to a dog living in Michael Vick’s house (if they ever let him own a pet dog again)...train with one eye open, sleep with one eye open.
70K,Why does OSHA keep that and NOT give that to the trainers involved? Seems once again a worthless Government agency is being enriched.
It didn’t eat her, it was playing with her, but humans can’t generally be tossed about and drug under water for too long. If they thought it had taken her for food, they would have put it down.
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