OMG...a trainer was killed today!

Nobody MAKES the whales do anything. If they decide they dont want to perform, the show is canceled. At some points of the year, there are 2 shows a day. Its been that way for the past 2 months. And the shows are mental stimulation and exercise for the whales. These whales were born in captivity. I dont uderstand how many times that has to be mentioned. Seaworld doesnt go out and pluck them from the wild. So Its you that doesnt realize where Seaworlds whales came from in the first place, they came from right there at Seaworld.
Exactly! My DH has been to countless SeaWorld shows and laughs about the frequency of the whales acting up. The trainers simply stop the show and explain what is going on. You don't force a 12,000 ocra.

Granted, Tilly did come from the wild but most of the SW animals are captive bred. In a perfect world animals would not be used for our entertainment. But this is most definitely not a perfect world and SW cares for its animals as best as it can. Anyone who believes those animals are overworked in the shows needs to see more of the shows as the truth is readily apparent. They work when they want to and don't when they don't.
 
I am going to request that this thread not become a debate about animals in captivity. There is a thread running on the Community Board that is more suited to debating. It can be found here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2405408 Please keep this thread as a tribute to Dawn or condolences for the family and try to avoid any controversy. Thanks so much, guys.
 
I just want to say how sorry I am to hear about the trainer, Dawn. She seemed to really love the whales and love her work. Most people don't have a job they are that passionate about like it showed with Dawn. My heart goes out to her family. Also I feel sorry for Tilly. I believe it was an accident. From what they described he was playing with her, very roughly, but he is a very huge animal. I think they must of had a good relationship, she was working with him for a very long time. Only a select few got to be by Tilly. He would do tricks for her and she got to pet him and stuff. If they didn't have some kind of bond, neither one of them would of been able to be together at all. But anyway, what's going to happen when he finally realizes that Dawn his trainer is not there? They have feelings too. Will he get really aggressive towards other people now that his trainer is not there? I really wonder if he will respond to others. I would think he needs time to adjust. I hope they don't push him to try and do shows or whatever. I just hope this never happens again to anyone. I don't think we will truly ever know what happened, I hope they DESTROY any video tapes showing the attack!!! Obviously Dawn felt very trusting of Tilly to be that close to him, that's why I think it was just a freak accident.
 
Thank you, Phamtom. It's been hard enough losing Dawn, but seeing people use her death as a soapbox to further a cause is very difficult. I know the lack of privacy is affecting the family negatively, and I believe a large part of the media interest is rooted in that debate.

Thanks to all of the DISers for posting such lovely memories and photos.
 


Thank you, Phamtom. It's been hard enough losing Dawn, but seeing people use her death as a soapbox to further a cause is very difficult. I know the lack of privacy is affecting the family negatively, and I believe a large part of the media interest is rooted in that debate.

Thanks to all of the DISers for posting such lovely memories and photos.

The media and the ignorance is so sad. People REALLY need to think before they speak/post.


Just wanted to say once again :hug:. Please know Dawn's Sea World family is thinking of her. We are so sorry for your loss. Sea World truly lost a great gift.
 
It's so gross to hear on the news about how "a contract with the trainer could prevent a lawsuit"...

The trainers themselves have said over and over again how dangerous this job can be. They're all 110% aware of the risks. But it is their life, and they love what they're doing. It would be really sick to see some sort of lawsuit happen out of all this.

It really sucks what happened at Disney, and I know that family won a lawsuit, but there was negligents on a lot of people's part to cause that. You can't just say "Bad Tili, you can't do that" and fire him.
This family seems very proud of the life she choose. Although I do think it would be appropriate to provide some help to the family with the funeral and all.
 
It's so gross to hear on the news about how "a contract with the trainer could prevent a lawsuit"...

The trainers themselves have said over and over again how dangerous this job can be. They're all 110% aware of the risks. But it is their life, and they love what they're doing. It would be really sick to see some sort of lawsuit happen out of all this.

It really sucks what happened at Disney, and I know that family won a lawsuit, but there was negligents on a lot of people's part to cause that. You can't just say "Bad Tili, you can't do that" and fire him.
This family seems very proud of the life she choose. Although I do think it would be appropriate to provide some help to the family with the funeral and all.

The trainers whom I have met, love these whales like their kids. Dawn was no exception. She loved working with these whales and so do the other trainers. I agree, they know exactly what their getting themselves into.
 


You know...I was watching the local news last night and they were showing clips of Dawn and the whales from past shows and training sessions...which was sad enough but...when they showed a whale...not sure if it was Tili or not alone in a tank just floating...that's when it really hit me. The whale looked really sad and I had to wonder what the whale was thinking...you know? That just makes it sadder if the whale was wondering where his/her friend was. Seeing that whale and wondering those things just broke my heart. That kind of summed up this tragedy for me. It's just so sad for everyone and everything involved. :sad1:


You are obviously a very compassionate & empathetic individual:littleangel:
I too, got teary eyed over it......It is just so heart breaking.....For all involved . :sad1:
 
Jenelope--Jack Hanna did an interview with a Central Ohio TV station. It was a great interview, he spoke as a true animal advocate and said many nice things about Dawn and Sea World. A very positive conversation. If you would like the link, feel free to PM me.
 
Not sure if this is Dawn but it looks like it could be her. The trainers really seem to enjoy what they do and I believe this was truly an accident. So may of us have people in our lives die unexpectedly and we just have to get comfort knowing they were happy in the lives they lived. The trainer with this whale, in this moment, seemed to be enjoying what they are doing...

DSC_0332.jpg
 
Two summers ago my DH and I (more my DH though) helped save a whale out on Haida Gwaii BC Canada, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF1I7hJ2rBM&feature=PlayList&p=3472F2395CE26BBD&index=0&playnext=1

After they rescued the baby humpback (and it wouldn't leave the beach without the men singing a native Haida song) it turned around and and came back in towards shore as a way of saying 'thanks' and then headed back out towards it's mother. These animals are extremely intelligent, and after that experience I understand why the trainers want to work with whales. There is a connection between people and whales. She clearly loved what she was doing. My condolences to the trainers family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. :hug:
 
Again, please take your agenda to the Community board, Facebook or some other APPROPRIATE forum...this may be the time, but it's not the place.

P.S. If you want someone to take your opinion into consideration, you really need to be more concise and too the point.
 
I am going to request that this thread not become a debate about animals in captivity. There is a thread running on the Community Board that is more suited to debating. It can be found here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2405408 Please keep this thread as a tribute to Dawn or condolences for the family and try to avoid any controversy. Thanks so much, guys.

:littleangel: Having read so much about Dawn and her deep love for animals, her Christian beliefs, and her achieving her life long goal I believe that we should all be respectful and honor her life. Knee jerk reactions & armchair quarterbacking is not needed here...just thoughts and prayers for her & her family,

Respectfully, The Thompson Family
 
Again, please take your agenda to the Community board, Facebook or some other APPROPRIATE forum...this may be the time, but it's not the place.

P.S. If you want someone to take your opinion into consideration, you really need to be more concise and too the point.
:thumbsup2
 
I know they have to keep the trainers out of the water until they review their procedures, but I'd be willing to lay money that not one of those trainers would be afraid to return to the water with those orcas right this minute. This was not a vicious attack. It was a whale mistaking her ponytail for something to eat (and if you look at the long fish they feed 'em in some of the videos and look at the long, wet ponytail, it's not such a stretch...especially since I'll bet the trainers start smelling fishy after a few hours of work). Those trainers love the whales and I'm sure they have developed no fear of them as a result of this horrible tragedy...just perhaps a renewed respect for what they are capable of and how a freak accident can happen any time even with creatures that they know and trust.
 
Im all for freedom of speech,

but this is getting ridiculous. Im Glad Seaworld decided to leave Tillikum alone and not put him down or release him. they are changing things to benefit the safety of their trainers. As it was an accident and protcol was broken which is why their reviewing protocol. I dont agree how the media Blew this up and made this guy into something worse than he is. Dawn passed doing what she loved. Can we all put this to rest already.

I believe you should watch this video of SeaWorld's First show after the Incident. its something let me tell you. it takes courage to continue on after this tragedy. But they did it and i applaud them.

here is the link: the show officially starts 3 min in but i encourage you to watch it all: http://www.wftv.com/video/22693306/index.html
 

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