Drew 0 Posted February 26, 2010 Tilikum, an Orca with a history of violence against humans, has killed a trainer, Dawn Brancheau, on Wed at the Shamu Stadium in Orlando. FL. This is the 3rd death Tilikum was part of. The controversy this unfortunate incident brings out masses for both sides of the captured animals debate. Tilikum was originally captured in the Icelandic waters and brought to Canada where it drowned one trainer at Sealand in 91. Then in 99, it killed the intruder who broke in to swim with Orca. Apparently, due to the history of this animal, trainers are not in the water for any of the shows, instead working with it on the platform. Tilikum apparently grabbed Brancheau from the platform, as many Orcas do to seals in Patagonia or elsewhere. Unfortunately, this tragedy does bring about the debate of display for large captured mammals like Orca and the 'humaneness' of these circus like shows. There is no doubt that the mammal trade is big business, as are the big marine park shows like Seaworld. That said, Seaworld scientists know more about the physiology of their captive animals than most experts, and while the behavioral aspects are tainted due to the captive circumstance, it must be said there are likely some benefits to captive animals being used this way. It is unfortunate that only animals which can make money are getting the money for research, but I suppose that's the free market in action. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/25/...in6241753.shtml Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted February 26, 2010 Very sad ... However I expect the trainers know/ are taught the dangers when working with these animals, just as we do when entering the Ocean with any predator... My condolences for the family at this time Dive safe DeanB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewsmith 14 Posted February 26, 2010 Pretty mad timing of this sad event as the evening prior to this happening the story of Luna the orca was shown on UK tv. Stew Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted February 27, 2010 Seems the shows at SeaWorld will reopen today. Apparently, Dawn allowed her pigtails to enter the water, hence creating an opportunity for the Orca to grab her by the hair! That's amazing that an Orca is able to grab someone by the hair. Without the release of the videos, it's impossible to verify whether that is true or not, but I guess Sea World wants to get back to normalcy asap. Tilikum gets to stay in Orlando but no trainer is allowed in the water. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdpriest 115 Posted February 27, 2010 Tilikum gets to stay in Orlando but no trainer is allowed in the water. I can't believe how awful this tragedy is. I really can't believe how crass and insensitive SeaWorld are. Three deaths, and that makes a tourist attraction? Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MIKE POWELL 1 Posted February 27, 2010 I read that "HE" Tilikum is a stud and has sired a number of calves through artificial insemination, which makes him worth millions $$$. I'm sure SeaWorld will do everything in their power not to give up a cash cow....MONEY TALKS! Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRC 2 Posted February 27, 2010 Just gets worse and worse. Crikey - AI - I don't even want to think how you begin to get a 'sample' out of an Orca I mean, you can't exactly send him off to the bogs with a couple of dodgy mags - can you ? Maybe he is justified in being a bit temperamental... Paul C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted February 27, 2010 They don't have farms in Guernsey do they Paul? Believe it or not, they are trained to 'release samples.' I saw it once on video. They show a ziplock bag and the orca flips over, deposits the sperm like a good ol' guy making a donation at the sperm bank. The AI is similar for the female orca. I think the show was on Animal Planet. Should be on Youtube if you're interested to find out. Let's not kid ourselves in that Sea World and other parks are in it for the research only. It's a money maker and being bred makes it "okay" to sell the babies to other theme parks around the world. I watched a few newsreels and reports. The pro captivity crowd like Jack Hanna and bunch will always support these programs as they are part of the money making machine. There is obviously some positive impact to this but it's more about entertainment than education. The natual behavior of an orca tossing a seal around after a successful hunt or strip the hide off a dolphin has little semblance to people riding it and doing tricks like jumping through hoops. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRC 2 Posted February 27, 2010 They don't have farms in Guernsey do they Paul? None worth a darn Drew! - we built houses on most of the available land. Though there is quite a trade in bull semen I can't say that I have been very intimately involved myself. Don't think I will ever quite regard the old ZipLoc baggie in quite the same way again..... Deano - how are you with a ZipLoc ? (as a certified stud and all). Paul C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeanB 19 Posted February 27, 2010 (edited) Believe it or not, they are trained to 'release samples.' I saw it once on video. Well, that's got t be the quote of the month STUD ... Cheers Paul although I'm more of the tried and tested way rather than the 'bag n tag' method... Dive safe DeanB Edited February 27, 2010 by DeanB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
