Did Tilikum Kill Dawn Brancheau at Shamu Stadium SeaWorld?

Very true. He, not it, by the way, is still a wild animal and their ways of thinking can never be clear to us, which also one of the things that makes them so fascinating. I am sorry for the poor woman who died, but I must say I hope the whale will still be well taken care of until it dies a natural death of whale old age- he definitely didn´t choose to be stuck in a tank his life long.

So that's why they call them "killer whales."

Unfortunately we try to make everything out to be cute and cuddly these days. We want to kiss killer whales, hold crocodiles and swim with sharks. And then when they act like themselves instead of a cartoon characature we are left in a state of shock and denial.

It is a tragic loss, but a valuable lesson, these are not Disney characters, they are real animals and despite the best "training" by the best of trainers they are still animals with some will of their own left to them. As far as the fate of Tilikum, he should be set free like "Free Willie" or "Madagascar," and not kept as a pet like "Flipper."

Wild animals belong in the wild not in concrete tanks.  Don't blame the Orca. The fault belongs with  SeaWorld and with everyone who visits that animal prison.

It seems like everyone else is on the same page but Sea World will never be. They make too much money to worry about this one loss. Sad but true. No wonder Sealand sold Telly, they knew how aggressive he was and that he's a liability. I highly doubt that 20-year-old trainer, Keltie Byrne "slipped" into his tank. Someone from Sea World said that about the lastest victim to protect themselves. He's ready to be set free, hopefully this 3rd time is the charm. He's been trying to tell you for the past 19 years. They got the name killer whales based on their actions, actions speak louder than words.

well thats what happens when you try to turn a KILLER whale in to a pet  

I agree that Sea World is trying to protect themselves...they said in a previous incident as well as this new one that the trainers "slipped" when their was a witness that said the whale grabbed Dawn and pulled her into the tank.  That is not accidental!  These whales are not meant to be in captivity just so Sea World can make money.  I am glad the Sea World in Cleveland, Ohio closed, and I hope someday the rest of them will, too.  That is probably wishful thinking but that is what I would hope for: that these people come to their senses.

Ok as to the trainers death It was not her fault, Nor was the whale playing.  I am so tired of reading people saying " im so glad sea world in ohio closed"  It was not a money making park that is why it was sold and closed.Killer whales held in captivity do strange things and we have no control over them.  Tilikum is a bull whale and needs to be released .  If the trainer was using proper tack tile renforement to the whale and he did not like it then that is his way of reacting BUT at the same time he is not used to having someone in his tank.

SET HIM FREE!

i agree with you all. i'm very sad to  hear about the loss of the trainer. and i'm very sad to hear about telly. i feel like he's going to be a lost soul without her.  i visited sea world last fall..and he's beautiful. but i agree...these animals need to be left in the wild. most of the whales at seaworld only know life in those large tanks, therefore they would never be able to go free. i believe sea world (and other sea life parks) shouldn't breed these animals in captivity anymore. continue to care for the ones that are..and once they are all gone (many moons from now) then all orcas will be free. i will be extremely upset if they give up caring for telly. or even more so if they kill him. i don't think he was trying to kill his trainer ..i think he thought he was playing with her. they shouldn't have to do tricks...they should be for viewing purposes only. i know his trainer would want the best life for him. these trainers are so committed to these animals...they're like their kids. 7 days/week.

This article did not mention it, but in Cali a news reporter stated the Orca's were acting strange and that a show was delayed because they were not cooperating.  Then the incident happened. So, if that were the case, perhaps the trainers should have taken the strange behavior as a sign and acted sensitively to the Orcas instead of continuing with the show.  Either way, yes...they are "killer whales" in captivity, therefore prone to natural instincts no matter how much they are trained.  I feel sad for the trainer and her family, but as well for the Orcas. 

SET HIM FREEE, AND IF THAT NOT AN OPTION, SPAIN NOT LONG AGO OPENED WORLDS LARGEST AQUARIAM MAYBE THEY HAVE A LARGER ENCLOUSURE,WORTH A SHOT!!!???

Like most everyone has said, "Killer Whales" have that name for a reason and are not meant to be played with or made to do tricks.

She did not die in vain. She died doing what she loved. I would have it the same way myself. May she rest in peace.

Ok first of all everybody needs to understand the the fault of this death can not be only Telly's fault nor dawns fault. There are reasons why Telly doesn't have people in his tank.. he is DANGEROUS. at all, he is a KILLER WHALE. he is a wild animal, but everybody has to understand that SeaWorld is not an "Animal Prison" all of the animals in there are RESUCED animals. if they were to release Telly into the wild, he would unfortunately die. he does not know how to survive in the wild. if you are taken kare of and fed everyday and all of that, and then all of a sudden you are out there to fend for yourself, you will eventually die. it is very unfortunate that Dawn had to lose her life, and no it is not her fault. but you also can't put all the fault on Telly. he didnt know any better.

I'll bet that many of these people posting that animals are not meant to be kept in cages and concrete tanks have all gone to a zoo or a place like seaworld at least once in their life as adults. The fact is that it is a very sad situation.  Studies show that it is almost always the older animals who either attack or do other damage. Why not just put an age limit on them...such as retire them when they are 20 years old? My prayers go out to the trainer's husband and family.

I just read an article from a marine mammal biologist and I would like to point out something she said that I completely agree with. She stated that Tilikum should be retired into the ocean like Keiko (aka Free Willy) was. He unfortunately is too old to be set free. From what I understand is that Tilikum has never had much trainer interaction especially being in the water with him. I agree with many of you that he is a wild animal and was only behaving as such. I would like to remind people that this type of thing happens with other captive animals such as bears and lions, but it doesn't make the headlines like this, and you don't see an outcry from the animal activists when it happens.

It is a very unfortunate incident, but always when something this tragic happens, it's when everybody has an opinion of what has to happen, or who's to blame, or Sea world is only allowing this to happen to make money, bla bla bla. We have visited sea world numerous times, and always appreciated the love and care that they devote to their animals. That they make money doing it, who does not want to make money, loving what they are doing? For years they have tried to develop a system to keep wild animals as "homely" as possible for their animals, and therefore, giving each one of us a chance to educate and appreciate from as close as you can get, to these magnificent creatures.What we all should be critizising is the killing of whales for commercial benefits in the waters of the world. And not Sea world,  that tries to at least take good care of all the animals and mammals. When you apply for the job to become a "shamu" trainer, you are well aware of the high risks you are taking with wild animals. The trainer, or all trainers for that matter, are very affectionate to their jobs, thus losing your life doing what you love the most, although very hard for family members to lose their loved ones, is something to respect, and not judged. For that matter, we should not have wars that kills innocent people, at least in this case, it was a choice of Mrs. Dawn to be working with "dangerous" killer whales. May she rest in peace!! Sea World,  keep up the good work of educating in a entertaining matter!!!!  

I feel for the trainer and those that love her.  I was doing research and found that they have the name killer whales because of their normal prey such as dolphins, seals, sea lions, and etc.  There has never been a reported case of a killer whale actually killing a human in the wild.  They have a natural bonding emotion in the wild among their own kind along with others as well.  That is why they are able to bond so strongly with their trainers.  This is a sad thing that happened but I don't feel that this was a whale attack.

FREE Tilikum !Start the movement now!  We can force this!   FREE that whale.  He is a prisoner and clearly an unhappy animal.  Return him to nature before someone else gets killed.

FREE Tilikum!!!Start the movement!  Free that whale!  He's been telling you something!

Well id like to point out a couple of things1.  Tilikum has been in captivity for 30 years, killed 2 people that was witnessed, and one there was none. I agree that its first trainer he probably did see it as a toy and was just being PLAYFUL. The homeless guy snuck into the place at night, and then they found him dead, he couldve fell in and startled him, and he probably acted, just like a shark, or any animal for that fact, even humans. theres no proof he drowned him, the guy couldve just fell in, maybe drunk, or maybe didnt know how to swim.2. Shes been training him for 15 years, i mean come on if he was going to kill her, he wouldve done it in the beginning. Because its a new person and it wasnt used to her. But after 15 years of companionship with her, he had plenty of chances, I mean shes the only one that gave him a hug...in the tank. Yes hes showed aggression in the past, but i mean come on, you cant expect anything to be happy with where theyre at all the time. There was a companionship between the trainer and the whale. 3. Before he, accidently, killed her, he was playing with the other 2 whales, and not following directions. He couldve wanted to play with her, I mean she has cared for him and PLAYED with him many times the past 15 years. Hes a big animal, IFF he did pull her in it wasnt him trying to hurt her, he wanted to play. If you think about it, killer whales in captivity are like house dogs, you feed them and you play with them long enough, they get used to it, and they want it more. They grow close to the owner and expects them to show affection to them. Its huge, it doesnt realize how much it could hurt a human. 4. Then there is, a witness said they were listening to a trainer in the place under the ground, watching the whale from the side of the tank, then the person below YELLED to the other trainer and tilikum took off like a bat out of hell, hmmm maybe SCARING him. She acted as if it was doing it to show his aggression, and i dont believe that, the trainer just scared him. 5. She couldve fell into the tank, and tilikum could have been trying to get her up or thinking that she was going to do that trick where he launches her into the air and couldnt get it right and held her under too long. You cant say he pre meditated killing her. Now for the outcome, Hes 30 years old, always in captivity if they release him, he will not survive. Ive heard stories about "putting him down" and thats rediculous, you people are treating him like hes a monster. He didnt do anything wrong. Yea its sad that she died, but he didnt mean to. The daughter or sister i think even said she didnt want anything to happen to him because she loved that whale like it was one of her children, So if she doesnt hold any aggression towards him, why should anyone else, because youre not being hurt by the situation, most of you people probably didnt even know her name till yesterday, but she is her family and she still wants him, then people just need to shut up.