SeaWorld trainer dies in killer whale attack in Orlando

[RTHolmes]

A trainer at the SeaWorld park in Orlando, Florida, has died after being attacked by a killer whale.

Witnesses said the orca had jumped and grabbed Dawn Brancheau by the waist from a poolside platform before dragging her underwater.

Guests were evacuated while fire crews tried to rescue the 40-year-old, but they were unable to revive her.

The killer whale, Tilikum, was also reportedly involved in the death of a female trainer in Canada in 1991.

Other orcas were also said to have attacked trainers at SeaWorld parks in 2006 and 2004.

Full article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8535618.stm


how could this possibly happen? well I think the clue is in the name - Killer Whale. while any death is tragic for the family and friends I cant help but think "good on ya" whenever a predator which has been caged and treated like a performing clown finally gets some.

just my 2d

[PewterC5]

Killer whale 1 - Trainer 0

In all seriousness it is sad that she died. However she did die doing what I presume she loved. This is just another example of wild animals being wild. The poor whale will probably be killed now as this is the 3rd death this particular whale has caused. So we will kill him for doing what nature intended him to do. Sad all around.

[Dadsguns]

Supposedly there were two other occasions or deaths this whale was involved in..... 

[Delirium]

Are you telling me Killer Whales are supposed to attack people? I thought they just flipped out of the water through hoops, ate fish out of human hands and swam circles in a small tank to delight people.

Reminds me of the brief dialog between the two lead characters in the movie 'Crimson Tide'.

Capt. Ramsey: Speaking of horses did you ever see those Lipizzaner stallions.

Hunter: What?

Capt. Ramsey: From Portugal. The Lipizzaner stallions. The most highly trained horses in the world. They're all white?

Hunter: Yes, sir.

Capt. Ramsey: "Yes, sir" you're aware they're all white or "Yes, sir" you've seen them?

Hunter: Yes, sir I've seen them. Yes, sir I was aware that they're are all white. They are not from Portugal; they're from Spain and at birth, they're not white; they're black. Sir.

Capt. Ramsey: I didn't know that. But they are from Portugal.
[Chuckling]

Capt. Ramsey: Some of the things they do, uh, defy belief. Their training program is simplicity itself. You just stick a cattle prod up their bellybutton and you can get a horse to deal cards.
[Chuckles]

Capt. Ramsey: Simple matter of voltage.

[vonKrimm]

how could this possibly happen? well I think the clue is in the name - Killer Whale. while any death is tragic for the family and friends I cant help but think "good on ya" whenever a predator which has been caged and treated like a performing clown finally gets some.

just my 2d

They received the name "killer whale" because they occasionally prey on other whales.  Not because they are inclined to be indiscriminate killers.

Killer whale 1 - Trainer 0

In all seriousness it is sad that she died. However she did die doing what I presume she loved. This is just another example of wild animals being wild. The poor whale will probably be killed now as this is the 3rd death this particular whale has caused. So we will kill him for doing what nature intended him to do. Sad all around.

The history of the whale in question is 3-0; some research before posting makes you look less ignorant.

All in all, taking an undomesticated animal and teaching it a pattern of behavior that generates a reward does not preclude that animal from acting in a manner consistant with its evolutionary inclination and threat/response directive.  yes, SeaWorld should have acted in a more proactive manner to this particular whale, but if we (humans) did not desire to see animals act in particular ways, then there would be no profit motive for SeaWorld to train killer whales for our bemusement.

[Shuffler]

The whales and other marine wildlife at seaworld are not just there for our amusement. They perform for our amusement so that funds can raised to support more studies on the creatures. Scientist regularly depend on information delved from studies on these and other wildlife at Seaworld and other parks.

Kids and adults alike learn alot from going to a show at Seaworld.  

[RTHolmes]

They received the name "killer whale" because they occasionally prey on other whales.  Not because they are inclined to be indiscriminate killers.

err they are carnivores, apex predators and extremely efficient killers. they feed on anything from larger fish species through seals, walrus and other whales. they are extremely smart and aggressive predators, hence "killer." you should see footage of them hunting in packs, herding seals into the shallows and risking beaching themselves for the kill. pains me to see such magnificent animals paraded infront of crowds doing tricks.

[Ack-Ack]

I liked the CNN report about it last night and repeatedly brought up how this particular whale was involved in other 'assaults' against trainers and I think at least one more death.  The tone of the report was very ominous, like we were dealing with a serial killer whale that preyed on trainers and how some system failed that allowed this dangerous Orcinus Orca back in the swimming tank to kill again.





ack-ack

[FiLtH]

  Dont tell the Japanese!!!!

[Jayhawk]

It's a lie! It was cows and chickens!

[druski85]

It's a lie! It was cows and chickens!

Great job son, now the Japanese are normal like us.  Best last line of any show, ever.  


Anyway, to the matter at hand yea these things are going to happen from time to time.  Any trainer who doesn't realize the inherent risk has a veil over his/her eyes, no matter how benign the creature.  

Take this BBS.  Most folks on here are probably relatively normal people in their natural habitats, but in the wonderful world of anonymous intarweb postings, they become something else entirely.  Skuzzy surely understands this, and realizes the risks of his position.  Someone has the herd the cats.

[PewterC5]

Killer whale 1 - Trainer 0

In all seriousness it is sad that she died. However she did die doing what I presume she loved. This is just another example of wild animals being wild. The poor whale will probably be killed now as this is the 3rd death this particular whale has caused. So we will kill him for doing what nature intended him to do. Sad all around.

The history of the whale in question is 3-0; some research before posting makes you look less ignorant.

A little reading comprehension will make you look less ignorant also. I simply stated in this instance the whale won, but this is his 3rd total. Thanks for playing, try again.

[Maniac]

Free Willie...

[Wolfala]

Not for nothing, but it's species is more Dolphin then Whale. Back to the hanging

[RTHolmes]

I liked the CNN report about it last night and repeatedly brought up how this particular whale was involved in other 'assaults' against trainers and I think at least one more death.  The tone of the report was very ominous, like we were dealing with a serial killer whale that preyed on trainers and how some system failed that allowed this dangerous Orcinus Orca back in the swimming tank to kill again.

yup, thats exactly the impression I got from the reports ive seen