SeaWorld

While many of you have already heard, a 30 year old captive male orca, named Tillikum, grabbed and drowned his trainer, 40 year old Dawn Brancheau on Wednesday morning, February 24, 2010, at Sea World in Orlando. She had been standing in knee-deep water with the 12,000 pound, 23 foot long orca, right after a performance, when he pulled her from the platform by her long ponytail and took her into the water. Park guests, who were quickly ushered out of the area, described it as “violent.” When paramedics arrived, the trainer had died.

Tillikum, captured at age 2, from Iceland in 1983, has a rough past though and even before this incident, trainers were not allowed in the water with him. He is the largest orca in captivity. In 1991, he was accused of drowning his trainer, 20 year old Keltie Byrne, at Sealand of the Pacific (now closed). Then, in 1999, the body of a young man was found floating in Tillikum’s tank one morning.

It is unknown what Tillikum’s fate will be but according to Sea World press conferences, within a few days, the shows will resume as usual. However, even as of July 2010, trainers are still not allowed in the water with the killer whales, even during training sessions and performances.

HERE ARE THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. You may send a comment to Sea World, regarding the attack and the possibility of retiring Tillikum at the link here: https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2945

2. You may also wish to take 2 minutes and comment on this new article about Sea World, Seaquarium, and Lolita:
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/What-About-Lolita-85394102.html

3. Please vote in this poll (the second option) to say that Orcas belong in the wild, not at Sea World:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-poll-killer-whale-seaworld-022510,0,6354939.poll

Thank you for your time and check back for updates.

This Saturday, February 27th, we are having a peaceful PROTEST for Lolita’s retirement from noon to 2 PM outside of the Miami Seaquarium. Banners and leaflets will be provided. Please come to show your support for retiring captive orcas around the world!