What do you think should done with Tilikum, the killer whale?

by Jessica Tucker | February 26, 2010 at 07:32 pm

1096 views | 25 Recommendations | 14 comments

The orca, or killer whale, is known widely as a traditional symbol of British Columbia’s native heritage. The large, black and white whales that can be found bouncing and arcing above the waters of British Columbia’s coastline are also known as quite a common attraction for whale watchers from all over the world who flock to the West Coast of Canada and take guided boat tours to view these massive mammals in their natural habitat...

SeaWorld Orlando has spoke, Tilikum will stay. Sadly, after the death of a trainer at the SeaWorld facility by the largest killer whale held in captivity, questions have again arose about what to do with Tilikum. Today it was decided by officials, the whale will stay. Thankfully, the large bull orca will not receive the immediate death sentence that some feel he deserves. Ultimately, it is just horribly sad that Dawn Brancheau met the end that she did and my heart goes out to her family and friends and all those that witnessed the horrific events of Wednesday.

Considering Brancheau had worked with Tilikum for the last fifteen years, it is hard to think that he in anyway, meant to intentionally hurt her. He is a very large animal that has been in captivity for almost the whole of his life, if I were a whale I think I would probably be a bit coo coo after swimming around in a whale sized fish bowl for my entire life. Wouldn't you?

...Many suggestions have arose over the last few days, some think the large whale should be put to death, many say set the whale free, but the decision over what to do with Tilikum lies solely in the hands of his owner, SeaWorld...

What do you think should be done with the confused Tilikum? Who should be the one considered in this choice, Tilly or SeaWorld? Who's best interest is it that he remain in captivity? Some say Tilikum would not survive out in the wild after his lifetime of captivity. Or are those that think he should be put down, in the right? What do you think?

...one may see another side of why SeaWorld is so adamant about keeping the siring star, Tilikum, on the team...

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Tomitheos Linardos

at 21:19 on February 26th, 2010

For starters they shouldn't be in captivity, I know the name 'killer whale' is not a reference as a danger to humans.. but given that it can be aggressive towards sharks in the ocean and its natural environment, the species should not be confined and coached to jump through hoops for our amusement.

Jessica Tucker

at 21:31 on February 26th, 2010

Thanks for the feedback! I agree...

Andrew Peters (not verified)

at 13:19 on February 27th, 2010

I think a giant fish fry to pay for the burial expenses of the victim would be in order.

Jessica Tucker

at 21:35 on February 26th, 2010

Make sure to check out the source article, there is a bit more to the story than one might think...

Uwe Paschen

at 23:33 on February 26th, 2010

One whale may have killed one Human, while Humans are killing them by the hundreds.

A wild animal in captivity is like putting a perfectly sane and innocent person in a POW prison subjected to tortures and restricted to a cell of no more then ten scare meter.

nanute

at 03:28 on February 27th, 2010

An excerpt fromKiller whales in captivity: Sea World tragedy tells us something is not right here : Part of this history is why, when Sealand sold Tilikum, it was with the caveat that he not be used in performance displays. And indeed for years he was primarily kept at Sea World for breeding purposes.

As the article notes, the fact that humans can train these intelligent mammals, is because they (orcas)let us. Treating natural wild species like pets is the problem here. Let him live out his life in captivity, if he can't be re-introduced into the wild. On second thought, maybe putting him down is the "humane" thing to do.

Jessica Tucker

at 08:26 on February 27th, 2010

I thank everyone for their thoughts and input so far, it is interesting to find out how others feel about this topic...

Don Publius (not verified)

at 16:58 on February 27th, 2010

Clearly, the whale needs to be harpooned, and his blubber cooked down to distill into whale oil that you can put in vials and sell to the tourists who visit the Shamu pavillion.

Jessica Tucker

at 12:01 on March 1st, 2010

Ewwww!

Carla =^.^= (not verified)

at 19:54 on March 1st, 2010

He should be given the life he deserves... if it's true he wouldn't survive living free in the ocean, then give him (or them) something that it could look and feel like it. Why things like this even exist? Every day I'm more and more disguted by human race...

Steve Street (not verified)

at 14:23 on March 2nd, 2010

Here are my humble thoughts on this subject. I live near Sea World in Orlando and have been there several times and have personally seen Tilikum splash guests. I love to watch those great creatures. However.....or But........like a pitbull gone bad can we afford to lose another trainer? NO!If they can train him to perform they can train him to be in the open ocean again. RELEASE HIM!!! Simply tag and release. However,,,maybe seaworld knows he will be a big draw now due to being a serial killer. Is it about money for SeaWorld? I hope not.

Jessica Tucker

at 15:56 on March 2nd, 2010

Thanks for the comment Steve! I like your thoughts all of this and you have a point

"...If they can train him to perform they can train him to be in the open ocean again..."

I have been wondering, as well, if maybe this is all about the money...

Marcia Springer (not verified)

at 07:04 on March 4th, 2010

It's time for him to be released and have nature deal with him.. He can't speak..what does he have to do to make clear that he's fed up being held like that. All the people who are visiting Seaworld should take this in consideration...when is it time to set an animal free?.. i feel the time is now..he's tainted...and badly conditioned now...their best trainer took a fall. Who is next for goodness sake.. Let him go..

AMBER ROSIEE (not verified)

at 10:53 on April 8th, 2010

i dont think yall should kill the whale, yall should just let her free. what if it wasnt even on purpose, it might have been on accienddent. the whale probaly thought that her hair was something to play with. but thats my opinion.