Orca kills trainer at SeaWorld Orlando

[Ziggurat]

To be honest. I'm with Slingblade here with the added caveat of; if we accept that we can keep them as pets or for show or entertainment then we must place ourself as master. When and if they get to this number of human fatalities then it's time for the whale sized bolt gun, given that they cannot be released into the wild.

Killing him isn't the only option. You could still keep him but limit direct interaction with trainers even more. While this trainer wasn't swimming with the whale, she was still effectively in the pool with the whale. So the risks with this whale can be further reduced significantly without killing it.

 

[Ziggurat]

Hey! You pull apart my joke to make the same joke yourself. Get-your-own-script-writer!

I'm-no fun-at all.

How about other plots for "Eight Legged Freaks": the heart-warming true story of the first paralympic 100 yard dash. Your turn.

 

[William Parcher]

They look like the same woman.

You be the judge; is this the same trainer?

Hmmm..... What happened to the mole/freckle on the right cheek?

 

[Ziggurat]

Hmmm..... What happened to the mole/freckle on the right cheek?

Could easily be masked by makeup in the other two pictures. Plus a lot of freckles get lighter or darker depending on sun exposure.

 

[Sabrina]

I mean, they look very similar, don't they? You can understand my confusion over this... it LOOKS like her... but I can't be 100% sure unless I ask someone who knew her, and I don't think I'd want to be that crass right now.

 

[elgarak]

Killing human beings is not natural behavior at all for wild orcas. Toying with them (holding in mouth) isn't natural either.

Toying and playing with smaller mammals such as seals appears to be quite normal for wild-living Orcas. Do you believe captive Orcas see humans in the water with them as something else?

Wild orcas seem no more inclined to make physical contact with a human than any other cetacean.

Yes. You know why?

(Do wild Orcas and humans commonly share their habitat?)

Actually, there are a few other species that have a record of harming (including killing) humans in the wild - but not orcas. They really haven't shown themselves to be dangerous in the wild even when we get into the water right next to them.

I'm not sure if there is any account of wild orcas killing a human. From Wiki...

How common ARE humans right next in the water to a wild Orca?

 

[Skeptical Greg]

Sabrina,
I think the girl in your pick looks a bit younger..

 

[William Parcher]

Dawn was 40, your lady looks younger. Earlobe mismatch? The teeth and mouth (at smile) may not match.

 

[slingblade]

Killing him isn't the only option. You could still keep him but limit direct interaction with trainers even more. While this trainer wasn't swimming with the whale, she was still effectively in the pool with the whale. So the risks with this whale can be further reduced significantly without killing it.

I'm thinking that's not a bad idea, although I don't know how practical it is, what other options there are, and so on.

And okay okay, "was involved in the deaths of." It seems to me the animal rather views people (even the ones who invade his space, uninvited) as...well, I hesitate say "chew toys," at the risk of being corrected again, but it's the idiom that seems to fit.

I'm projecting madly here, but it just seems the animal has it in mind that we're for throwing, and if given the chance, he'll do it again.

It's all just sad, all the way 'round.

 

[William Parcher]

Do you believe captive Orcas see humans in the water with them as something else?

Yeah, something other than food for sure.

Yes. You know why?

Again, they must not regard humans as food because they never eat us when given the opportunity (in wild or captivity).

(Do wild Orcas and humans commonly share their habitat?)

How common ARE humans right next in the water to a wild Orca?

It's not particularly common to have humans swimming with wild orcas, but it does occur. You can also imagine shipwrecks and overboard situations that would bring them together. No accounts of human deaths in the wild. Aboriginal peoples have lived amongst them for thousands of years (think kayaks) and they don't have stories of human killings.


Diving with orcas.

There is no record of an Orca in the wild wounding a person and only one case of a captive Orca causing a fatality.

Do Killer Whales ever eat people?

 

[JcR]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8536000/8536184.stm

http://www.susanscott.net/OceanWatch2001/feb12-01.html

In 1977, an orca, with no warning, struck a racing boat off the coast of Brazil. The boat sank in 15 minutes, leaving some crew members in a life raft and some in the water.

The four or five orcas there did not attack either the swimmers or the raft, and all sailors survived. The collision with the boat was likely an accident on the whale's part.

I was trying to find more sources for this boat incident.

This is an event I think I remember seeing on CNN.
Just interesting stuff.

 

[Sabrina]

Dawn was 40, your lady looks younger. Earlobe mismatch? The teeth and mouth (at smile) may not match.

Is that's true, that will be an IMMENSE relief, I assure you.

 

[One Eyed Jack]

I'm sorry I have to ask WTF again. Is this to see if the orca poisoned or drugged her? I thought foul play had already been ruled out.

A thorough autopsy always includes a toxicology screen when possible. You never assume anything.

 

[Hallo Alfie]

Hmmm..... What happened to the mole/freckle on the right cheek?

[qimg]http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/william_parcher/26ccf136.jpg[/qimg]

Is that's true, that will be an IMMENSE relief, I assure you.

I don't reckon it's her either for the reasons mentioned plus jaw line and face shape.

 

[fallout]

wouldnt the first kill suffice for drawing the ingenious conclusion that they need to stop this whale circus b.s.?

 

[The Fallen Serpent]

wouldnt the first kill suffice for drawing the ingenious conclusion that they need to stop this whale circus b.s.?

I suspect the people most at risk for death by orca are among the most vocal for continuing orca exhibitions. A single death or even a handful of rare deaths should not be the determining factor if a practice should be continued. I do not claim to know one way or another if the situation in general is ethical or demeaning. I cannot assert with certainty where the level should be but I completely disagree with any variation of "not even one death is acceptable." One death is acceptable. It is unfrotunate but it is acceptable. Three deaths tied to one orca is a problem that should be addressed. I lack the conviction that a single orca involved in a series of unfortunate events constitutes a strong case for banning the entire practice. This does not mean it should not be stopped, but it should be measured on different merits.

 

[Arus808]

It's the three times that bothers me. Mind, I don't know what should be done, but I'm thinking an animal that's killed three people over time needs to be away from people. Period.

the first time, it was a trainer during practice

the second, it was when a guy broke into the area he was housed in, and HE decided to jump and swim with the damn whale


the third, its a combination of mistakes on the trainers (they stated repeatedly and to the audience that the WHALE was not responding to directions and were being disobedient yet they still wanted to make the whale do 'tricks') and the whale just acting how it should.


Im sorry, but to me the answer is that the whale shouldn't be "put down" simply because the other two events were the subsequent mistakes and human error that lead to the deaths.

 

[slingblade]

the first time, it was a trainer during practice

the second, it was when a guy broke into the area he was housed in, and HE decided to jump and swim with the damn whale


the third, its a combination of mistakes on the trainers (they stated repeatedly and to the audience that the WHALE was not responding to directions and were being disobedient yet they still wanted to make the whale do 'tricks') and the whale just acting how it should.


Im sorry, but to me the answer is that the whale shouldn't be "put down" simply because the other two events were the subsequent mistakes and human error that lead to the deaths.

I never suggested it be put down. Not once. Not even obliquely. I very plainly said I don't know what the answer is.

I rather figured that's where we were going with this, but you are quite wrong if you think that's what I had in mind.

I said I think it's too dangerous to be around people anymore. That does not mean I want it dead.

Now, can we get off me? I don't want the animal killed. I can't say it any plainer than that.
Damn.

 

[332nd]

No, Quint hunted sharks. You want Nolan.

You are right, but when it comes to Whales, I will go with Ahab......

Nah, you had it right the first time. Better stories, songs, plus he made his own hooch!

 

[rockinkt]

Grudge Match!

Paul Watson, the best Japanese harpooner, and Tillicum, all in the same pool. Fight to the finish.

I demand 10% of the gross revenue from TV.