Seaworld Trainer Killed By Killer Whale

**Phillyman** · February 26, 2010

Ok so most people have probably heard of this tragedy in Seaworld. A trainer was killed by a Killer Whale, and apparently this hasn't been the first time this killer whale has killed someone.

(CNN) -- A killer whale killed a trainer Wednesday afternoon at SeaWorld's Shamu Stadium in Orlando, Florida, a public information officer for the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
The 40-year-old woman, identified by sheriff's spokesman Jim Solomons as Dawn Brancheau, was in the whale holding area about 2 p.m. when "she apparently slipped or fell into the tank and was fatally injured by one of the whales," he said.

But 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 the trainer by the waist, shaking her so violently that her shoe came off.

Link to Full Story

Now I am a believer that animals are not here for our amusement. I get why people put animals in Zoo's and Aquariums, it helps bring the animals closer to us, and in that hope it should tug at our hearts to protect these animals from extinction. But I think there are just some animals that you can not imprison....or train. A few weeks ago I was watching a show about Killer Whales, and how one killed a Great White Shark. It was an amazing video to watch, because everyone thinks that a Great White Shark is at the top of the food chain in the ocean. One of the other interesting videos was of how smart a Killer Whale really is....just watch this video see....

Here is the video of the Great White Shark getting owned....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IKV9R5mT6U

I say anything that can easily kill a Great White Shark......needs to be respected and left in the ocean.

**Data** · February 26, 2010

I guess it's too bad that humans die. Were the top of the food chain aren't we, and it's not like we hunt them but we are imprisoning these beasts against their will. Some might say life is good for some of these creatures but do they ever get the choice?

Zoo's and circuses sell tickets to watch these animals perform and when an animal goes on a rampage you should let your kids watch the beauty of nature and how being caged up could change anyone, including people. So enjoy your popcorn and don't leave when the rent-a-cops try to kick everyone out because I want my dollars worth.

**Mister Zero** · February 26, 2010

It's a shame she had to die that way. I just watched the show with her and those whales down in Orlando last August. It's part of the profession I suppose, but if they insist on doing these shows they should know what to watch out for. When they bought this particular orca they were told to use it for breeding only, not shows, but SeaWorld went against that and now we see the result. This orca has attacked and killed a few other trainers before it got to her.. You'd think they'd get the idea.

I've seen some other videos of orcas attacking the trainers at these shows. I don't know if they get moody, or just tired of certain trainers or being caged in and lash out. They really don't need to be kept in captivity and forced to do shows, they're not meant for it. Either way, it's not very safe to be in the water with them.

(nothing graphic, so don't worry!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz-UEQFhmxA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Af67qv5Dzg