SeaWorld Puts Whale That Killed Trainer Back Into Shows
Written by Vegetarian Star on March 30th, 2011 in Animal Issues.
SeaWorld is putting the killer whale that caused trainer Dawn Brancheau to drown last year back into shows for the first time since the incident.
Although the marine park has made numerous safety upgrades, officials concerned for the safety of the trainers have warned against mixing trainers and whales in the water.
There have been six publicized attacks on trainers since 2002. Brancheau died from a combination of several traumatic injuries and drowning. Last August, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration accused SeaWorld of putting the trainers in danger by allowing them to work with the whales and slapped Sea World with a $75,000 fine for three safety violations.
Trainers may not be the only mammals in danger. Since 1996, 13 killer whales have died at multiple SeaWorld parks. All whales were under 25 years of age, well under their expected life span of at least 50 years.
Tilikum, the whale that killed Brancheau in 2010, will be participating in SeaWorld’s “Believe” show, while others whales are still being trained for different shows that will begin once Believe has wrapped up in April.
Photo: Flying Cloud/Creative Commons
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