The Whale Went Postal

February 25. 2010

In yesterday's Column, I stated the tragic death of Seaworld trainer, Dawn Brancheau, 40, was due to, "A killer whale living up to its name" in violently shaking her in a death grip at the aquarium, after snatching her off the edge of a tank.

Apparently, SeaWorld does not agree with me, as they stated today on CNN, "To mark him (Tilikum) as a killer is unfair." I didn't mark the whale a killer, someone else did in affixing the world "killer" to the species name and with good reason.

Once is an accident, not three times, as Tilikum has been blamed for the deaths of two other people, in addition to Brancheau, who must have been terrified when she realized what was happening to her, during the tragic incident. That was a terrible way to die.

I'm not knocking Seaworld, as they've brought joy to many kids with their shows, just pointing out what is the obvious in a hazard to human life. Tilikum got tired of performing the show.

I don't dislike the animal either, as I think they are beautiful creatures, but one has to understand them for who they are and the danger they pose to humans. It's difficult to domesticate a wild animal (why some women don't realize that before they marry gigolos is another mystery).   

SeaWorld trainer died from traumatic injuries, drowning, officials say

February 25, 2010 - Rescuers were not immediately able to reach Brancheau because of the "whale's aggressive nature," the sheriff's office said.

A witness told CNN affiliate WKMG-TV that the whale approached the glass side of the 35-foot-deep tank at Shamu Stadium, jumped up and grabbed Brancheau by her waist, shaking her so violently that her shoe came off. A SeaWorld employee, who asked not to be identified, described the incident the same way.

Tilikum has been linked to two other deaths...

A spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called the death "a tragedy that didn't have to happen."

Jaime Zalac said the organization had called on SeaWorld "to stop confining oceangoing mammals to an area that to them is like the size of a bathtub, and we have also been asking the park to stop forcing the animals to perform silly tricks over and over again. It's not surprising when these huge, smart animals lash out."...

"This is the first time in 46 years that we've ever had an incident like this with a trainer," he said. Although Tilikum is large and has to be handled carefully, "to mark him as a killer is unfair."

http://edition.cnn.com