CNN: Killer whale lives up to its name at SeaWorld

[Chief]

(CNN) -- A killer whale killed a trainer Wednesday afternoon at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, a spokesman for the Orange County Fire Department said.

The spokesman, John Mulhall, said the trainer was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident did not occur during a performance, said a spokeswoman for SeaWorld, who added that more information was to be released soon.

Victoria Biniak told CNN affiliate WKMG that she saw the deadly incident from a viewing area.

"The trainer was explaining different things about the whale, and then the trainer that was down there walked away from the window. Then [the whale] took off really fast in the tank, and he came back, shot up in the air, grabbed the trainer by the waist and started thrashing [her] around," Biniak said.

Biniak told WKMG that the whale, named Tilikum, or Telly for short, does not typically have a trainer in its tank because it is too large.

Tilikum is a nearly 30-year-old, 12,300-pound bull orca.

CNN's John Couwels contributed to this story.

 

[vta]

I was just reading that.
A broader story is at this Link.

It's amazing, that whale has killed before and attacks aren't as uncommon as I thought.

Maybe it's time to stop messing with these things and leave them where they belong. It's cool to study them and learn about them, but thinking they should perform and try to co-exist with us on a daily basis is a bit much.

 

[ethiostar]

Yikes!!!

 

[Jon88]

I was just reading that.
A broader story is at this Link.

It's amazing, that whale has killed before and attacks aren't as uncommon as I thought.

Maybe it's time to stop messing with these things and leave them where they belong. It's cool to study them and learn about them, but thinking they should perform and try to co-exist with us on a daily basis is a bit much.

I agree. I also heard that this did happen before an audience.

They need to take this thing back to the ocean if they can.

 

[vta]

I agree. I also heard that this did happen before an audience.

They need to take this thing back to the ocean if they can.

I hope they don't decide to kill it.

 

[daschoo]

at the end of the day its a predator. much like you see stories from time to time about tame lions mauling their owners/trainers. obviously you feel for the trainer and their family but they knew their was a risk of this kind of thing.

definitely agree the animal should not be put down over this

 

[Jon88]

I hope they don't decide to kill it.

I was thinking that as well. I would be pissed off and bored if I were it too.

That reminds me of the circus elephant in Hawaii that got fed up and killed its trainer. It then ran out onto the streets. Instead of tranquilizing it the cops shot it over and over. Terrible.

 

[big dog cowboy]

at the end of the day its a predator.

It appears that is certainly the case here.

 

[ethiostar]

Why can't we just admire these creatures, all kinds, in their natural habitat. Why do we insist on turning them into a freaking pet or side show.

 

[Jon88]

Why can't we just admire these creatures, all kinds, in their natural habitat. Why do we insist on turning them into a freaking pet or side show.

People are greedy.

The shows are stupid and boring anyway.

 

[vta]

That reminds me of the circus elephant in Hawaii that got fed up and killed its trainer. It then ran out onto the streets. Instead of tranquilizing it the cops shot it over and over. Terrible.

I remember that and it got me as well. Some dope asking what drove this animal to such a state.

How about the alien environment, screaming people and clown music?

 

[Hoofbite]

You guys realize that a good number of animals at Seaworld are rescues?

 

[ethiostar]

You guys realize that a good number of animals at Seaworld are rescues?

And they can't be put back in their natural habitat afterwards?

 

[Jon88]

And they can't be put back in their natural habitat afterwards?

Not when there is money to be made.

 

[vta]

You guys realize that a good number of animals at Seaworld are rescues?

Rescued from what?

 

[Hoofbite]

And they can't be put back in their natural habitat afterwards?

I dunno all the ins and outs. I just know that they bring in a good number of rescue animals. Kind of makes sense considering there aren't many places that can house them.

 

[theogt]

Nobody cries when a stray cat is taken from its "natural habitat."

 

[vta]

Nobody cries when a stray cat is taken from its "natural habitat."

What is stray cats natural habitat? :laugh2:
Nobody is recounting tales of people killed by stray cats either.

 

[Jon88]

Nobody cries when a stray cat is taken from its "natural habitat."

No because they can be considered a pest.

 

[theogt]

What is stray cats natural habitat? :laugh2:
Nobody is recounting tales of people killed by stray cats either.

http://www.euroweeklynews.com/2009111167161/news/scandinavia/sleeping-cat-kills-baby-in-sweden.html

No because they can be considered a pest.

So, we *can* base what we do with animals on the whim of the people.