On Tilikum, the captive killer whale’s death in January 2017

It seems both sad and yet a good thing that Tilikum, the 36 year old bull Orca, has died at the Orlando Florida SeaWorld theme park in January, after 33 years in captivity. Tilikum, which means ‘friend’ in Chinook, was infamous for killing three people, most famously in 2010 the experienced Dawn Brancheau (pictured), a 40 year old trainer who was filmed being plunged underwater again and again by the 22ft 6in (6.9m) 12,500 pounds (5,700 kg) killer whale. Horrifically she was scalped in the incident and the whale tore off and swallowed part of her arm. The incident inspired the film Blackfish, a 2013 documentary which has been hugely influential in turning the public against orcas and other cetaceans being held in captivity and trained to perform as part of an aquatic circus.
One effect of the film and its publicity is that SeaWorld announced, in March 2016, that it would change its system, end its breeding programme and would gradually phase out some of the circus nature of its ‘shows’.
The film documented the trauma of young orcas being taken away from their highly evolved family groups. Kept in small spaces, often without daylight Blackfish concluded that orcas like Tilikum developed psychotic tendencies. Forced to perform for their food and denied it if they misbehaved it was hardly surprising that they could turn on their captors.
Tilikum first killed in 1999, when he and two other whales drowned Keltie Byrne, a 21-year-old marine biology student and competitive swimmer. Then, in July 1999 Daniel P Dukes, a 27 year old park visitor who evaded security and stayed behind after the park was closed was found dead over Tilikum’s back. He had also ‘drowned’.
Soon after Dawn’s death Tilikum was back in the circus but last in March last year SeaWorld announced he had a bacterial lung infection. He got better but on January 6 the company announced his death, without, as yet detailing any cause.
For many Tilikum is a symbol of why orcas should be left in the wild. He sired 21 calves in captivity, 11 of which remain alive. Orcas can live beyond 100 years in the wild. DH

From CS No14  February 2017
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