VIDEO: Expert - Whale Trainer Made Fatal Mistake
Posted on Feb 26, 2010 @ 01:50AM
The Florida SeaWorld trainer who was drowned by an orca whale Wednesday made a mistake that triggered the animal's deadly reaction, her former trainer told Good Morning America Friday.
In a new twist to a story RadarOnline.com has been following closely, Thad Lacinak said the late Dawn Brancheau broke protocol with Tilikum, the 12,000-pound whale who dragged and held her underwater, drowning her.
PHOTOS: Dawn Brancheau At SeaWorld
The break in protocol was Brancheau lying down in a 4-inch "slide out" device intended for the trainers to stand on, Lacinak said.
Witness: Whale Emerged From Water With Trainer In It’s Mouth
When the whale "pulled her in by the ponytail, I'm pretty sure it was her breaking protocol," he said.
“Sometimes we get too comfortable working with these animals,” Lacinak said. “Sometimes we forget what they are."
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Mother Of Killed Whale Trainer - “My Daughter Died Doing What She Loves Best”
Lacinak said Brancheau "was one of the best killer whale trainers" he'd ever worked with.
"It looks like she made the mistake," he said. "If she was standing here with me, [she] would tell you that it was her mistake that it happened.”
Brancheau, a 40-year-old Indiana native, was married with no kids.
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The Daily Juice
These animals are intelligent, they travel thousands of miles per year. Putting them in a bathtub is akin to solitary confinement. I'm sick of it, let theses animals go.
Posted Sat, 02/27/2010 - 3:30am
"Why can't the animal be set free after 30 years in captivity?" begs the question "What have we done to this animal by making them perform in these Sea World shows?"
Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 5:08pm
You can't set him free because yes he has proven that he has the ability to catch food but in a controlled environment not in the wide open. He would be killed right away. After 30 years of having food handed to him he wont be able to hunt.
Posted Sat, 02/27/2010 - 11:33am
First off after 30 years of captivity, they can't set Tilikum free. Secondly has anyone been to SeaWorld? I have and they do have a very good program there not only for the whales but for all the animals they have.
Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 2:19pm
There are places where you can see whales in the wild. Take those trips. Set these animals free.
Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 1:43pm
Everybody at Seaworld and their guests are perpetuating this barbaric activity by attending these shows. I hope that whale jumps out the water and lands on the stands and kills about 300 people in one shot. FREE THESE POOR MAMMALS ASAP
Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 1:36pm
This particular whale had already learned twice before that humans are toys he can play with. How could this trainer not understand that? You can love wild animals all you want, but they are not going to love you back. Give them respect, not love.
Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 1:30pm
This is not a KILLER whale. He thought she was a plaything. She played with him all the time. Set him free and let him live out the rest of his life doing what he loves best. A few weeks of freedom is better than a harpoon
Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 1:26pm
This is the third killing this "cutie pie" Orca was responsible for. Hello! Get Rid of him like yesterday.
He is evidently a stallion here. Well put him in a protected area and NO ONE GETS NEAR HIM except a female whale. Are they stupid or what?
Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 1:12pm