What a hugely controversial subject. I have, and will continue to, see the shows at Sea World.
I am so sorry that Dawn lost her life; and I am proud of her family for understanding that Dawn died doing what she wanted with her life.
Keiko was never able to make a home for itself in the wild - it did not meet up with any other whales (or, if so, did not bond with them), and eventually died only a few years after being returned to the open ocean. Re-integration of an ocean mammal is not yet a viable opportunity, as Keiko's life showed us.
Humans are not normal prey of Orcas. Tilikum is an aggressive animal, and while I think that whales are indeed sentient and have feelings and social structure, I don't believe they have an equal understanding as humans. I don't think "we're better" - we are different from them, and they are different than us. They process information and cues differently than we do, and see the world differently than we do.
Therefore, I cannot agree that this attack was "premeditated", inasmuch as we understand the term...I don't believe that there was any prethought, planning, or plotting. If what we're told is true and he lunged up and out and caught Dawn, then it was far more of a spur of the moment thing - a "hot blood" attack, if you will; he saw her, he reached for her, and he took her. It was more an instinct, rather than a plan...he didn't "wake up" that morning and say, "today, I'll kill my trainer. how do I do that?...", but rather took advantage of a moment in time.
I am in no way blaming Dawn. I am also not blaming Tilly. He had a history of death involving humans, although one is not necessarily his fault. If the reports I've heard are true, he was agitated and not responding to the cues of the trainers earlier that day; this should have been an indicator that something was off, something was wrong, and should not have been used for the rest of the day.
I work with animals, namely horses, who've been abused. My personal horse attacked me several times, breaking my hip/pelvis once, and breaking my face once. They are considered "prey" animals, but horses will fight if believed to be cornered and fighting is the only option.
In my work with these amazing animals, I've discovered that if I don't pay close, close attention to their pre-work behavior, and behavior while I'm working with them, I run the risk of being seriously injured. It is up to me to determine if I can safely work with that animal, if that animal needs something other than what I'm providing at that time, and it's up to me to head off danger. Learning that took two hospitalizations, but I still have my personal horse, and we work very well together now...but it's still up to me to know if there's an issue (based on behavior) that means we won't ride/work today, but rather do other things...sometimes, other things means being left alone.
It seems to me that cues were missed; had there been policies in place regarding what to do when the animal misbehaves and is acting irritated, perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided.
Working with animals brings an inherent risk...we, as people who work with them, who love them, who are around them daily, are the ones responsible for their welfare...we are the ones who are responsible ultimately for our welfare, and the welfare of our animals.
This was not premeditated...not the way we understand it. It may have been that Tilly was unhappy, or protecting a cow in heat; it may have been that Tilly was upset by a ponytail. It may have been that Tilly was just "not in the mood" to perform. But it was not premeditated...I don't believe they have the capacity to do so.
As for if they should be kept in capitivity, I also agree with that. We have learned so very much from the whales in captivity...things we would not have learned in the wild. Furthermore, Sea World the organization is without a doubt a savior to many, many animals, and continues to educate the public on the unseen, amazing world of oceans...in many different ways.
I do not believe that returning them to the wild is an ethical thing, as it will not allow them to survive (look at Keiko for a good example).
I do believe that a larger holding area should be made for them, though. That is perhaps the one thing I can agree on.
Overall, as with anything, this is my opinion, and I'm not an expert by any stretch of imagination. I do enjoy the "Shamu" shows, and will continue to go and see them as I have in the past. I think that some sort of revamp of the policies and procedures of using a whale who is being agitated, disobedient, and aggressive should be done, and parameters put into place to understand those behaviors, and to remove them and the trainers from danger.
I am glad to hear that Sea World will not be euthanizing this animal, and that they are not going to be using him in their breeding program...and that they are not going to rip him away from his current pod, and "release" him into the wild where he will not be able to make a life for himself.
Like I said, this is all my opinion. Overriding all else that has been said, I am so sorry for this trainer's death, and my thoughts and prayers are with Dawn's family.
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