Killer Whales and Humans are a Bad Mix

I saw the news headlines yesterday exclaiming that a killer whale at SeaWorld in Orlando killed a trainer. I must admit that it is very sad and unfortunate, but then when I read that this particular whale has already committed two homicides in the past, the name "Killer Whale" is right on target. To me, if I encounter anything with the name "Killer" in it, it is probably a safe bet to keep your distance. These animals are wild animals and although they may have the capacity to be trained, they will always have the killer instinct. I don't really see the fascination of keeping wild animals in captivity and making them perform shows. Wild animals are in fact wild, and I think that they shouldn't be kept in captivity, which will prevent situations like this one so they don't happen again.

In this particular incident, the 12, 000 lb killer whale named Tilikum, grabbed the trainer by the waist and proceeded to play with her like a rag doll and the trainer drowned as the whale held her underwater. Onlookers who were there attending a meet and greet luncheon, said that the animals appeared agitated.. Agitated??? This killer whale who used to be able to swim freely in 343 quintillion gallons, that's actually 343 billion billion gallons of ocean water, to a reduced amount of 7 million gallons. This trainer had over thirty years experience so I am sure that she was aware of the dangers. But the fact that this whale had already killed two others in the past is what really shocks me. Obviously, there is something wrong with this whale and the ability for it to be trained. Oh wait, did i mention it is a wild animal and is a "killer" whale?

This whale apparently killed another trainer in 1991 and could of also killed a transient that wondered into the pool area in 1999. Who was his lawyer? Johnny Cochran? I don't know how many times an animal needs to cause harm to someone or kill people that someone should realize that this animal is not safe. Typically with humans, once you kill someone, you are placed in a cage and kept away from others so you cannot kill again. But this is an animal and according to the article above, the trainers' family says that since she loved animals, she wouldn't want something to happen to Tilikum. SO are we just going to let this animal kill again?? To me this doesn't seem like a smart idea.

I think that this unexpected death has made SeaWorld reexamine their killer whale ideas. As of today, they have suspended all killer whale shows at all three locations. This incident was taken more seriously as in 2006, a killer whale at SeaWorld San Diego grabbed the trainer and held him under water twice but he was able to escape. All that happened in that situation was that he was removed from the show and SeaWorld continued on like nothing serious has happened. If only they would have realized then, that at what price does someone have to pay in order for the whale show to continue? This guy was lucky and all he suffered was a broken foot, and now with this incident, someone had to lose their life in order for attention to directed to the fact that these

are once again, wild animals and they have the potential to cause death.