EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW & VIDEO: Mother Of Killed Whale Trainer -"My Daughter Died Doing What She Loved"
Posted on Feb 25, 2010 @ 10:54AM
Marion Loverde, the mother of SeaWorld whale trainer Dawn Brancheau, exclusively told RadarOnline.com on Thursday that her daughter would not want Tilikum the killer whale to be “put down”.
The 40-year old trainer -- whose dream was to work at SeaWorld’s Shamu Stadium - died when 12,000 lbs Tilikium pulled her into the orca’s tank on Wednesday afternoon, drowning her as horrified visitors looked on.
PHOTOS: Dawn Brancheau At Florida SeaWorld
Meanwhile, RadarOnline.com has obtained video of Brancheau performing with Tilikium back in 2008 at SeaWorld.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Whale Advocate Blames Sea World For Trainer's Death
Speaking from her home in Schererville, Indiana, Loverde exclusively told Radar Online.com: “We are absolutely devastated but it was a tragic accident – my daughter died doing what she loved working with whales.
Witness: Whale Emerged From Water With Trainer In Its Mouth
“They play safe at SeaWorld and it will be up to the other trainer’s discretion if the whale is retired from performing or what they want to do with it in the future.
Killed SeaWorld Trainer Believed in Trust Relationship with Whales
“My daughter would not have wanted the whale to have been put-down – she was very happy working with her whales and was a wonderful person.
“My family are all still in a state of shock, and her husband is absolutely devastated. They lived for one another, Dawn’s death is a tragic loss.”
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The Daily Juice
FYI. This is NOT Dawn in this video clip. As for all of you uninformed people making nasty hateful comments about someone you didn't even know, get some facts before you go spouting off ignorant comments! Have some respect for this families loss.
Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 2:52am
Radar, look at your picture on this article. I think you have been hacked.
Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 5:02pm
Many news reports were jumping all over this whale without all of facts. I hope they don't kill this beautiful animal. It it cannot be released in the ocean, find some kind of sanctuary for its retirement, safe for him and humans.
Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 3:16pm
Mrs. Loverde, my sincerest sympathies on the passing of your daughter. I'm sure she did love all of the whales and loved working with the animals. I'm sure she felt she did no harm and probably never did harm any animal. Sorry to her whole family.
Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 3:20pm
this whale has killed 3 people. granted, they asked for it by getting TOO CLOSE to the whale..if kept in the show, it will kill someone again.just put it out to sea and let its natural survival instincts kick in....
Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 3:14pm
SHE DIED DOING WHAT SHE LOVED: EXPLOITING ANIMALS...DISGRACEFUL! IF THIS WHALE WAS NOT ABLE TO LIVE FREE IN THE WILD IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT ****ALONE**** IN CAPTIVITY TO LIVE A LIFE OF DIGNITY, NOT TO BE SOME TOY.
Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 2:33pm
To her family, our profound sadness over this tragedy. My family has watched her perform with her beloved whales in the show and it is our absolute favourite most incredible show in the whole world.
Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 12:37pm
I would rather die doing what I loved.
Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 12:08pm
Why would they kill a whale for doing what it does naturally. They should release it back into the wild...
Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 12:06pm
Because it couldn't fend for it's self in the wild and would die a horrible death out there.
Posted Thu, 02/25/2010 - 2:19pm