Tilikum: The Killer Whale's Death

560 Words3 Pages
Tilikum is well known for killing his trainer at SeaWorld Orlando in 2010. When Tilikum died, SeaWorld said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the killer whale’s death, saying Tilikum had suffered serious health issues but did not give any cause of death. Tilikum was estimated to be 36 years old, and assumed to be born in the waters off from Iceland. The famous orca was featured in the documentary Blackfish, which criticized animal parks that keep killer whales in captivity. Tilikum’s trainer Dawn Brancheau died after Tilikum dragged her underwater by her hair and repeatedly struck her, whilst she was performing with him in the water. When investigated, the reports showed that Brancheau died from drowning and traumatic injuries. The killer whale had