ORLANDO – So today, we have a trainer who died at the hands of killer whale of stage-name Shamu, whose actual name is Tilikum aka Tilly.
There’s a reason why they call the breed a killer whale. Its because, well, they’ve got a bit of a streak in ’em. They get that streak from being in the ocean, where they kind of rule the joint.
Apparently, Tilly was “was thrashing her around pretty good” and killed the trainer just before the start of a small-group public performance, the Orlando Sentinel newspaper said.
The Sentinel reported that SeaWorld President Dan Brown made a statement on the issue, saying that he had “initiated an investigation to determine, to the extent possible, what occurred.”
There will, of course, be an investigation. But looking back at the last time we were at the show, it was quite far from the quiet, respectful shows of old. The music was loud, deafening, almost angry. It was very tribal, with heavy bass. Creepy, in fact.
Believe, they said! They give the kid a necklace. Loud music. Screams. Bring the animal out! So loud music, a small, contained area, a large killer whale and age, and you have the recipe for a mess.
Frankly, we didn’t like it. And we can see while Tilly, who is getting old and crotchety, would not like it either. Sad to say that the trainer died.
Animals get bored. The animals get old. And these whales are wild. But the Shamu show, we think, had to play a part in it.
Love for some other thoughts on the issue.
