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Post by Orange on Feb 24, 2010 16:46:33 GMT -5
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Mr T L Wolf
Hank Scorpio
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Post by Mr T L Wolf on Feb 24, 2010 16:54:19 GMT -5
From Wikipedia:
Tilikum was at the scene of another death on July 6, 1999, though evidence suggests the Orca was not at fault. A park guest, 27-year-old Daniel Dukes, was found floating naked in Tilikum’s pool, apparently killed by a combination of hypothermia and drowning. Dukes had visited SeaWorld the previous day, stayed after the park closed, and evaded security to enter the Orca tank.
Tilikum never takes part in water work with trainers, not necessarily due to aggression (he is in fact very docile), but because he doesn't necessarily realize his own strength. Tilikum is the feature of the show "Believe" where the audience and trainers chant "Shamu" as Tillikum soaks the audience.[34] On February 24th, 2010 Tilikum was involved in a fatal incident with a female trainer. Witnesses report that during a show the whale grabbed a trainer by the waist and started thrashing her around. The attack was so violent one of the trainer's shoes was thrown off. The incident is currently under investigation. [35]
This is basically what I was thinking while I read the story. Sounds more like Tilikum was trying to play and doesn't realize that a human isn't a toy.
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Post by Rorschach on Feb 24, 2010 16:55:05 GMT -5
I agree, and also hope that the animal is spared. However, much as in the case of circus elephants that snap and hurt someone, I think the whale is done for. I mean, we train these animals to amuse us with tricks, and then we're shocked when one of them "snaps" and attacks a human trainer or worker. Gee...maybe making these animals do tricks for our amusement is not such a grand idea? Don't get me wrong...this IS a tragic thing, and I do sympathize and feel for the trainer's family. But all the same, it frustrates me because it's something that's highly preventable. |
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Post by TheDarkestKnight on Feb 24, 2010 16:55:35 GMT -5
RIP to the poor woman.
Though this is a reason why I am against keeping Killer Whales in captivity. At the end of the day they are what the nickname implies and if given the chance will act upon it's instincts.
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AriadosMan
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Your friendly neighborhood superhero
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Post by AriadosMan on Feb 24, 2010 17:00:29 GMT -5
Killer whales usually don't kill people though. Maybe, like elephants, we don't fully understand their psychology yet?
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Post by FrankGotch on Feb 24, 2010 17:02:51 GMT -5
Sad news for the trainers family and I feel sorry for the families who had to watch a person get killed in front of them. Hopefully this will convince Sea World to end their Killer Whale and Dolphin shows once and for all. Taking a natural predator, jumping into its world and then training it to do parlor tricks for you is just asking for a disaster.
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Post by ani on Feb 24, 2010 17:03:48 GMT -5
RIP to the poor woman. Though this is a reason why I am against keeping Killer Whales in captivity. At the end of the day they are what the nickname implies and if given the chance will act upon it's instincts. Actually, they're not whales, aren't considered a threat to humans and got the name because they killed ACTUAL whales: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killer_WhalesBy the way, I think it's very suspicious that we have two accounts. Seaworld says the trainer slipped and the whale grabbed her but the other account said she was grabbed by the whale as it leaped. |
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Post by saintturgeon on Feb 24, 2010 17:04:10 GMT -5
From Wikipedia: Tilikum was at the scene of another death on July 6, 1999, though evidence suggests the Orca was not at fault. A park guest, 27-year-old Daniel Dukes, was found floating naked in Tilikum’s pool, apparently killed by a combination of hypothermia and drowning. Dukes had visited SeaWorld the previous day, stayed after the park closed, and evaded security to enter the Orca tank. Tilikum never takes part in water work with trainers, not necessarily due to aggression (he is in fact very docile), but because he doesn't necessarily realize his own strength. Tilikum is the feature of the show "Believe" where the audience and trainers chant "Shamu" as Tillikum soaks the audience.[34] On February 24th, 2010 Tilikum was involved in a fatal incident with a female trainer. Witnesses report that during a show the whale grabbed a trainer by the waist and started thrashing her around. The attack was so violent one of the trainer's shoes was thrown off. The incident is currently under investigation. [35] This is basically what I was thinking while I read the story. Sounds more like Tilikum was trying to play and doesn't realize that a human isn't a toy. Well, I'm watching the local news right now, and the police are saying she slipped in the Whale holding area. |
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Post by Rorschach on Feb 24, 2010 17:04:31 GMT -5
Killer whales usually don't kill people though. Maybe, like elephants, we don't fully understand their psychology yet? No, but they are predators, and as such, part of their natural instinct is to kill for food, or out of aggression, or hell, just for the fun of it. Science has confirmed that dolphins kill without any sort of motivation at all...so it stands to reason OTHER creatures would do it too. I mean, these mammals especially...I get the sense that some of them just flat out aren't meant for captivity/putting on shows. Elephants....orcas...heck even the dolphins will go aggressive with trainers every now and again. It may have something to do with their higher level of intelligence than the other animals in the zoo...or it may be due to their low tolerance for other, smaller species bulls***. |
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Post by Koda, Master Crunchyroller on Feb 24, 2010 17:08:22 GMT -5
I'm not trying to take a side in this thing, as I feel for both the animal and the trainer's family, but we have to remember Killer Whales are a giant type of dolphin, and dolphins are now known to kill things just for shits and giggles. Not saying this Orca did it for "teh lulz", but it is still a very distant possibility.
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Post by ani on Feb 24, 2010 17:10:38 GMT -5
Well, I'm watching the local news right now, and the police are saying she slipped in the Whale holding area. I'm guessing this "witness" is some PETA nut  I wouldn't put it past them to make crap up like that...even though both versions are still sad. |
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Post by Koda, Master Crunchyroller on Feb 24, 2010 17:15:39 GMT -5
Killer whales usually don't kill people though. Maybe, like elephants, we don't fully understand their psychology yet? No, but they are predators, and as such, part of their natural instinct is to kill for food, or out of aggression, or hell, just for the fun of it. Science has confirmed that dolphins kill without any sort of motivation at all...so it stands to reason OTHER creatures would do it too. I mean, these mammals especially...I get the sense that some of them just flat out aren't meant for captivity/putting on shows. Elephants....orcas...heck even the dolphins will go aggressive with trainers every now and again. It may have something to do with their higher level of intelligence than the other animals in the zoo...or it may be due to their low tolerance for other, smaller species bulls***. You do know a killer whale is a dolphin right? |
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Post by Cela on Feb 24, 2010 17:17:03 GMT -5
So one person dies in a trained killer whale attack, and people are calling for all killer whales to be released. Oh well, guess I can take this time to shill my old friend's new movie:
Free Willy 4: African Adventure!
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Post by saintturgeon on Feb 24, 2010 17:25:54 GMT -5
The cause of death is drowning
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Post by FrankGotch on Feb 24, 2010 17:28:51 GMT -5
So one person dies in a trained killer whale attack, and people are calling for all killer whales to be released. Oh well, guess I can take this time to shill my old friend's new movie: Free Willy 4: African Adventure! I don't think they need to be released. There is a ton of important conservation work that is done with the animals at zoos and other conservation facilities. I do however believe that its foolish to take natural predator, train it then put on a dare devil show with it. Also it would be very hypocritical for me to say they need to free the whales since I currently work for the largest wildlife conservation center for endangered species in North America. |
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Post by frankincleveland on Feb 24, 2010 17:35:15 GMT -5
We used to have a Sea Worl here in Northeast Ohio and most people have pretty found memoires of it.
That said, I never would have wanted to pet a killer whale's tounge or go for a short ride. Even as a kid I knew they were the apex predator. They were still neat to watch, though.
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Post by Rorschach on Feb 24, 2010 17:44:32 GMT -5
So one person dies in a trained killer whale attack, and people are calling for all killer whales to be released. Oh well, guess I can take this time to shill my old friend's new movie: Free Willy 4: African Adventure! I don't think they need to be released. There is a ton of important conservation work that is done with the animals at zoos and other conservation facilities. I do however believe that its foolish to take natural predator, train it then put on a dare devil show with it. Also it would be very hypocritical for me to say they need to free the whales since I currently work for the largest wildlife conservation center for endangered species in North America. Exactly. Freeing them all or releasing them back into the wild is not what the real problem is: it's taking an apex predator and turning it into a pet poodle that's dangerous. We've seen accidents happen with lions, and tigers and elephants and now whales. Some part of SOMEONE's brain HAS to wake up and say, "Maybe putting on stunt shows with dangerous predators is NOT such a hot idea!". But maybe that's just me. |
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"Hollywood" Cactus Matt
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Post by "Hollywood" Cactus Matt on Feb 24, 2010 18:05:37 GMT -5
We used to have a Sea Worl here in Northeast Ohio and most people have pretty found memoires of it. You don't anymore? I'm pretty sure I've been there. That sucks if it's gone now. As for the original story: it's sad for everyone. Sea World lost a colleague, the woman's family lost a daughter (and possibly a sister and a mother) and the other animals may be losing a friend. May she rest in peace, and I pray that another incident like this doesn't happen again. |
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Post by i.Sarita.com on Feb 24, 2010 18:24:10 GMT -5
They will NOT kill the animal. It's hard enough to keep those things alive in captivity, they aren't going to just kill it because a trainer died.
People think SeaWorld is just some amusement park with animals, when in fact they are a preservation society first and foremost.
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Post by i.Sarita.com on Feb 24, 2010 18:35:41 GMT -5
Oh, and the only SeaWorlds are the one in Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio.
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I hope they don't end up putting the whale down for this.
I hope they don't end up putting the whale down for this.
