February 26th, 2010

Killer whale kills trainer video and Dawn Brancheau autopsy. A bull orca whale at an Orlando Sea World killed trainer Dawn Brancheau on Wednesday.  There are multiple accounts of what happened, with some eyewitnesses saying that the whale named Tilly pulled the veteran trainer in to the tank, whereas Sea World officials say that she accidentally slipped and fell in to the tank.

Tilly, the whale who killed his trainer, has been involved in more than one other deadly incident in the past. This leaves many people wondering why he was still an attraction at Sea World given his violent past.

On the other hand, marine experts warn that the bull orca may have been playful and may not have meant any harm.  Still yet, others say that Dawn’s pony tail could have looked like food to the giant animal.

Preliminary autopsy reports performed on Dawn Brancheau indicate that she died from multiple traumatic injuries sustained from the whale attack.  In order to free her from the whale, Sea World officials had to lure him in to a separate tank and then hoist the 12,300 pound creature in the air to pry her from his mouth.

Individuals are likely looking for a video of the attack.  So far, none exists.  If it did exist, there wouldn’t be the controversy surrounding what caused the incident – the video would show it all.

PETA has pleaded with Sea World once again to quit using live animals in their presentation.  They suggest using robotic animals such as the dinosaurs used in various exhibitions.

Others are outraged and want the whale to be euthanized – not because this is an isolated incident, but because he has been linked to other attacks in the past. So far there are no plans to kill the whale that killed his trainer.

Dawn Brancheau died living her dream.  Ever since she was young, she wanted to be a whale trainer.  This doesn’t make the 40 year old’s death any easier to understand or bear. 

Source:

ABC News Coverage

PETA.com

Photo Credit: NOAA/Public Domain