Sea World Worker Killed

[Hooker]

Orlando SeaWorld worker killed by whale

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- An employee at SeaWorld Orlando has died after being attacked by a killer whale.

Orange County Fire Rescue spokesman John Mulhall says paramedics were called Wednesday afternoon to the Shamu Stadium at the theme park resort where they found a worker who could not be revived.

Park guest Victoria Biniak told WKMG-TV that the trainer had just finished explaining to the audience the show they were about to see.

Biniak told the station the whale suddenly came up from the water, grabbed the trainer around the waist and "thrashed her all around" to the point the trainer's shoe fell off.

The guests were evacuated and the park was closed.

[xfkirsten]

So sad. :( The trainer involved was very experienced - she'd been there a long time. Wild animals are so unpredictable... :(

I will say, though, I've heard conflicting reports - some sites are saying the PARK closed, and some are saying that the STADIUM was closed (and the walkways to it blocked).

[Doug11]

Kirsten, as a former Sea World employee, what do you think they would be most likely to do in this situation? Close the attraction or the entire park?

I would think there is a bond between those trainers such that it would be cruel to expect them to go out for the dolphin shows and sea lion shows the same day they lost one of their own. Is that accurate?

At the same time, it would be an incredible financial loss to send everyone out on a busy day when the attractions operators may not have that same connection. I don't know. :shrug

What result has this type of incident had on the paying public in the past? Does the average park guest get upset and want to leave or is it more like they just go on about their day with no real effect?

Prayers for the trainer and her family. So sad.

[pinkrose]

So very sad :( The family will be in my prayers.

I've heard conflicting stories on what exactly happened as far as what actually happened. The eye wittness account does not match what Sea World is saying.

Kristen, what do you think they will do with the Orca? I hope they don't harm him, but do make things safer for the trainers. It's my understanding that this is the male that they don't get into the water with.


One thing that has always bugged me aout Sea World is that they focus on the "Killer Whale" name and do not mention the "Orca" name. Maye it's silly, but it's always bugged me. :dunno One day, I will see a pod of these in the wild (at least, I hope to).

[Christy]

Very sad :(

[figmentmom]

So sad. :no I wonder what will happen to the orca, and if this will force Sea World to change some of their practices.

[Computer Magic]

I read today the women grew up in Schereville. That is less then 2 miles away.

[xfkirsten]

They won't do anything to the whale. There isn't anything they CAN do. They already wouldn't get in the water with him. They're still going to have to interact with him for medical exams and care, there's no way around that. The most they can do is make him a whale that isn't used in shows, with minimal contact. At worst, they find another park somewhere to send him to.

[pinkrose]

They won't do anything to the whale. There isn't anything they CAN do. They already wouldn't get in the water with him. They're still going to have to interact with him for medical exams and care, there's no way around that. The most they can do is make him a whale that isn't used in shows, with minimal contact. At worst, they find another park somewhere to send him to. That's what I figured. I just wasnt sure if they do them like they do dogs that bite. Thank goodness they don't. I figure it's a lot like the the tiger that I spent all of my zoo years with. If I had ever been in his cage, he would have killed me. He wouldn't have meant to, but he doesn't know that I'm not as strong as him, ect. I'd stlil scratch ihim behind the ear when he'd rub his head on bars (this was off of his display) Tigers are my favorite land animal, Orcas are my favorite sea animal.

[figmentmom]

They won't do anything to the whale. There isn't anything they CAN do. They already wouldn't get in the water with him. They're still going to have to interact with him for medical exams and care, there's no way around that. The most they can do is make him a whale that isn't used in shows, with minimal contact. At worst, they find another park somewhere to send him to.

It sounds like that's exactly what they're going to do - keep him there, and just maintain him. I know it was a terrible thing, but it was in no way the whale's fault. He's a wild animal, ruled by instinct. People who think they can maintain strict control over wild animals at all times are, for the most part, kidding themselves.


That's what I figured. I just wasnt sure if they do them like they do dogs that bite. Thank goodness they don't. I figure it's a lot like the the tiger that I spent all of my zoo years with. If I had ever been in his cage, he would have killed me. He wouldn't have meant to, but he doesn't know that I'm not as strong as him, ect. I'd stlil scratch ihim behind the ear when he'd rub his head on bars (this was off of his display) Tigers are my favorite land animal, Orcas are my favorite sea animal.

I love seeing the tigers behind the glass at Animal Kingdom - they are just so magnificent!

[pinkrose]

It sounds like that's exactly what they're going to do - keep him there, and just maintain him. I know it was a terrible thing, but it was in no way the whale's fault. He's a wild animal, ruled by instinct. People who think they can maintain strict control over wild animals at all times are, for the most part, kidding themselves.



I love seeing the tigers behind the glass at Animal Kingdom - they are just so magnificent! Exactly! I was worried that he'd be blamed or that Sea World would be pressured into doing something to him. It was a very sad accident.

I love going to watch the the Ak tigers also! Beautifuil animals and AK did a wonderful job of providing them a beautiful dosplay.

[Christy]

It seems like any time this happens with any other type of animal it is immediately put down :dunno And being that they let him continue to work with people after it had happened TWICE before *DOH* what the hell were they thinking.

Sounds like the only option is no human contact whatsoever.

[Doug11]

Mine may be an unpopular opinion, but if the death was not the orca's fault even though it pulled the trainer into the water by her ponytail and then beat her to death, treating her like a toy - if that is accepted as "just being a non-human mammal," then this should be remembered when the discussion arises as to animal rights by those who would seek to provide animals with rights equal to people.

I have a problem accepting this death as the fault of anyone or anything other than the 6 ton killer whale. :shrug.

What to do now? Remove the orca from all show participation, which I think they are doing. Beyond that, the decision should be made by specialists in marine science or whatever vocation is most knowledgable about confined marine mammals.

[Christy]

No I am with you Doug, I guess that was sort of my post :lol I do not see this as any different than a dog, myself. I guess the reason they are not destroying the animal is because of the breeding program, if I read right. But I have a problem with this being different because it was a popular animal that was part of a popular show, and not just one of the thousands of "domsticated" dogs, many of whom are put down for aggressive behavior each year. And has the verdict come back on that? Because I've heard some say he was playing and Ive heard some say he was exhibiting aggressive behavior all day (plus, again, we seem to be brushing the other two deaths he was part of in the past under the rug here)

[Garyhoov]

I feel personally guilty because, on one hand, it does seem very wrong to keep an animal like this - particularly killer whales who are too intelligent and designed for the open ocean - in such tiny enclosures doing tricks for our amusement. . .

. . . but I love animals and I love seeing the whales at Sea World so I am just the sort of person who supports this whole thing with my money.

I feel less guilty with animals like (my favorite) gorillas because I recognize that they are very endangered in the wild and it's better to have some in captivity than allow the species to die off. A nice enclosure like the one at Animal Kingdom is a reasonable compromise between exploitation and helping the species.

And there does seem something . . . distasteful . . . about the type of shows Sea World does. I understand that it's probably actually healthy to keep the whales and dolphins physically and mentally active and they don't care if their trainers are wearing feathers and boas or more sedate (but equally staged) ranger outfits for example, but I think I'd find the whole thing a bit more palatable with less show-biz and more education.

The bottom line for me is, as much as I love seeing them, I would be willing to sacrifice specifically the ability to see killer whales. There's just no way to create a tank that could ever even come close to their natural habitat.

In fact, I think I may make a personal decision to, in the future, make the very small gesture that even if I go to Sea World, I'll skip the Shamu show . . . (for what that's worth:goofy) . . . though Linda may have something to say about that.:lookaroun

[Garyhoov]

. . . and, by the way, before anyone gets any bright ideas, this is not the time or place for Jeff's photoshop of me with the gorilla.:tongue

[Christy]

. . . and, by the way, before anyone gets any bright ideas, this is not the time or place for Jeff's photoshop of me with the gorilla.:tongue

Yes, that not often talked about but ever so important breeding program to save the endangered Gar-rillas :goofy

[Hooker]

. . . and, by the way, before anyone gets any bright ideas, this is not the time or place for Jeff's photoshop of me with the gorilla.:tongue
It's ALWAYS the time and place for that. ALWAYS.

[Doug11]

Then we have the media involvement:

You can call me heartless, but how dumb does someone have to be to be a “trainer” for a killer whale?



Guy with a blog, you are heartless and probably clueless as well. :mad

[Christy]

Well, he has a point... the world is a much safer place inside the house behind a keyboard :rollseyes

[figmentmom]

I feel personally guilty because, on one hand, it does seem very wrong to keep an animal like this - particularly killer whales who are too intelligent and designed for the open ocean - in such tiny enclosures doing tricks for our amusement. . .

. . . but I love animals and I love seeing the whales at Sea World so I am just the sort of person who supports this whole thing with my money.

I feel less guilty with animals like (my favorite) gorillas because I recognize that they are very endangered in the wild and it's better to have some in captivity than allow the species to die off. A nice enclosure like the one at Animal Kingdom is a reasonable compromise between exploitation and helping the species.

And there does seem something . . . distasteful . . . about the type of shows Sea World does. I understand that it's probably actually healthy to keep the whales and dolphins physically and mentally active and they don't care if their trainers are wearing feathers and boas or more sedate (but equally staged) ranger outfits for example, but I think I'd find the whole thing a bit more palatable with less show-biz and more education.

The bottom line for me is, as much as I love seeing them, I would be willing to sacrifice specifically the ability to see killer whales. There's just no way to create a tank that could ever even come close to their natural habitat.

In fact, I think I may make a personal decision to, in the future, make the very small gesture that even if I go to Sea World, I'll skip the Shamu show . . . (for what that's worth:goofy) . . . though Linda may have something to say about that.:lookaroun

I completely agree.

[Doug11]

But what abuot Matt Lauer ? He's just as insensitive.

What was worse was the early news report that reported the Sea World incident occurred at Disney.

[figmentmom]

But what abuot Matt Lauer ? He's just as insensitive.

The media...:no

[Hooker]

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