Killer whales back on show after US trainer's death

[discocrisco01]

Source: BBC

SeaWorld Orlando's killer whale show has reopened, three days after an orca killed one of the trainers.

A SeaWorld spokesman said 2,200 people had watched the new show, in which staff were not allowed in the water.

Seaworld has said this would be the case until a review of Wednesday's incident was finished.

Dawn Brancheau, a 40-year-old veteran trainer, drowned after a 22-foot orca pulled her into the water as horrified spectators looked on


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8539924.stm

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. They failed to mention if the trainers will be wearing

sidearms....

[peace13]

2. I hope they changed the wet suit colors from black and white to something less seal color. n/t

[swilton]

3. Let's don't let the facts get in the way of our profits

Totally assinine the way they dumb down and sanitize the natural world so they can sell it to the public

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

4. This whale must be a Republican...

only Republicans get away with murder.

[Mike K]

5. It really is a damn shame -

- to confine animals whose natural range is an entire ocean to a relatively tiny pen and exploit them in daily performances. These whales are not stupid. The fact that they are capable of learning so many "tricks" is evidence of their intelligence. So how can those who exploit them fail to understand that the creatures are capable of resentment rising to the level of intense anger?

The same situation was manifest when a "tame" tiger attacked its trainer, Roy, during a Sigfried and Roy performance in Las Vegas. I've heard several speculations as to why this happened except for the most likely reason, which is the tiger just didn't feel like performing that night and got pissed off.

If one wishes to harbor a tiger (or a killer whale) in a suitable habitat, allow the animal to be what it is, care for its needs, show it affection and respect, I believe the animal will never behave harmfully.

When I see "performances" in which some jerk in jodphurs and boots is cracking a whip at lions and tigers who are forced to jump from pedestal to pedestal I quietly hope that one of those cats would do what its nature dictates. These performances are animal cruelty and should not be permitted.

[RedCloud]

6. They should make them have a scoreboard: Killer Whales 3 Humans 0.

[Blandocyte]

8. Like NASCAR, people will probably be going

to see if there'll be another injury/death. I can't believe SW is so greedy as to not retire that act! At least give all the profits to the next of kin of the woman their obviously unsafe workplace practices allowed to be killed.

[pezDispenser]

9. Of course they will, thats the show

I've seen the Shamu show and it is what it is. A beautiful girl gets in the 'cage' with a Killer Whale! Shamu and the trainer who risks her life getting in the tank, are the headliners of Sea World. The girl knows it every night driving home from work. She knew the risks and chose that profession. I'm sure she enjoyed the performance and the adrenaline aspect of the job.

Does Sea World exploit the animals, sure. But so did the trainer.

[Blandocyte]

7. I guess Sea World values profits

above human life and animal dignity. Anyone working there is complicit.

No class. Boycott that place.

[CountAllVotes]

12. if there was a Sea World anywhere near where I live

I would boycott the place and make efforts to shut the place down.

It sickens me what they do to animals! :puke:

:kick:

[flyarm]

10. just on our news in Tampa..the whale involved was not in the show today

they would not say it wouldn't be in the future, but it was not in the show today and the trainers did not go in the water and stood back too far for whales to get near them.

just a FYI..

[Sanity Claws]

11. Maybe for the show the trainers stay back

However, for actual training the trainers will have to be near the orcas.
The SeaWorld owners just don't want to shock the visitors with another death.
I will never go near any SeaWorld or similar place ever again.