Chicken bald back

[patsylabrador]

Another trainer has been killed by an Orca. I do feel sympathy for the people involved, but maybe it will be a catalyst to stop them keeping these beautiful creatures in such confined conditions.

I don't know a lot about them but I'm sure they are migratory. I saw one in a show once and didn't enjoy it. It just felt sad. I'd rather see them in the wild, in a large pod, because they are social creatures, just like our little chickens.

[Old Speckled Hen]

Yes I've just read this.

I remember the whale at Windsor Safari Park

PETA is quoted as saying they have been on to the american sea parks to stop taking wild animals and confining them to a world the size of a bath tub.

Has anybody been watching Simon King's programme on the Shetlands?

That guy had tears of joy watching orcas wild in the sea. Gave my heart a bit of a lurch too.

[Cooks]

I have been to seaworld and I never knew they still took from the wild, I was led to believe the whales they had were from their own breeding programme with Shamu the original whale and a female obviously.

such sad news today for this trainers faimly and friends.

[Lavenders_Blue]

Very sad news for the family and friends of the trainer

 

But it shows that even after 16 years of working with what is basically a wild animal (even if bred in captivity) you cannot underestimate their instincts and behaviours. They are killer whales after all.

 

I don't agree that whales should be kept in these conditions just for our amusement, I would much rather see them in the wild where they are meant to be.

[C&T]

I saw a couple of pods of these wonderful animals from a small motor boat when went to Vancouver several years ago.

 

It was truly awe inspiring seeing them leap out of the water, taking a huge interest in us as well as showing off to each other (as there was more than one pod, they were showing off with a view to mating).

 

I would never want to see one in captivity again.

 

Having said that, my heart goes out to the friends and family of the trainer. But maybe this might encourage other people to leave these wonderful creatures in the open sea, where they belong.

[chickencam]

I too feel sympathy for the trainer's family and friends, but it should be taken as a warning that animals should not be kept in unnatural conditions for our entertainment.

[WarrensWorld]

I too feel sympathy for the trainer's family and friends, but it should be taken as a warning that animals should not be kept in unnatural conditions for our entertainment.

I'm in total agreement with your post. The Orcas we've seen in the wild, all had their dorsal fins straight up in the air. The ones in captivity are all curled over, doesn't even look right. Time to let all the Cetaceans go....

 

Since the 1970s, killer whales have attacked 24 people worldwide.

It is thought that the animals can become aggressive in captivity due to higher levels of STRESS.

[Old Speckled Hen]

It is thought that the animals can become aggressive in captivity due to higher levels of STRESS.

 

Should anybody be surprised?

These are migratory social species. They need to roam in family groups.

I despair

[Chickendoodle]

This whale has been responsible for 2 previous deaths according to the papers - at a previous facility in Canada. Whatever were the park doing having it in the first place as it was obviously a risk to the staff. Apart from the fact that it should not be in captivity anyway.

 

Not sure of the likely success of releasing an Orca back into the wild (weren't there all sorts of problems with the one from free Willy?) but surely there is a better place for it to go.

 

The whale was only doing what comes naturally and I hope that it will not be destroyed because of this but found somewhere more suitable to live where it will not be a risk to anyone.

 

Of course the trainer's family deserve our sympathy following this terrible tragedy but working with wild animals is inherently risky. I also feel very sorry for the 50 or so visitors who witnessed it as it must have been extremely traumatic for them.

 

I am all for captive breeding programmes for endangered species and for well run wildlife parks but keeping beautiful creatures purely for our amusement is wrong. I have been to Seaworld and seen the Orca show to my shame. If we did not go maybe it would stop?

[ubereglu]

Very sad news for the family and friends of the trainer

 

But it shows that even after 16 years of working with what is basically a wild animal (even if bred in captivity) you cannot underestimate their instincts and behaviours. They are killer whales after all.

 

What people have to remember is that wild animals bred in captivity are actually likely to be more dangerous than true wild animals, this is because they lose their fear of humans.

 

It's a tragic accident, but we really shouldn't be keeping them like this, at least not in such small spaces as we are anyway.

[Seagazer]

I've been there and seen this show too to my shame. It is so awful for the trainer and her family but also for the poor whale, I didn't enjoy it there and wouldn't ever go back.

[Lewis]

Apparently he was in a holding pool waiting to do a show and the keeper was stroking him infront of visitors, and then she either fell in or was pulled in by him, then he grabbed her and rolled her in the water until she drowned

 

They said he's been involved in killing 2 people before in '91 and '99 - both were visitors that went/fell into the pools and were drowned by 3 whales, and the '99 one either drowned or was drowned.

 

He's 30 and the biggest killer whale in captivity ... SeaWorld have said they won't put him down.

[missuscluck]

I have been to sea world and have seen the show. I liked sea world as a park but didnt enjoy this particular show much. Its really hyped up and mostly consists of the whales making very big splashes. There is definatly entertainment to the max in Florida without this show. If it wasnt there Im not sure I would have missed it.

[Lewis]

I've been but I was 9 I think ... I remember SeaWorld and getting soaked but not much about the show really.

 

The bit I don't get is how he grabbed her and puller her in - surely they'd have learned by now ... unless she wasn't with the public, just talking to them

[WarrensWorld]

Apparently he pulled her in by her pony-tail........