SeaWorld killer whale Tilikum dies

Tilikum, one of SeaWorld's best known killer whales, has died.

The orca, thought to be about 36 years old, drew international attention when it dragged its trainer underwater to her death during a 2010 show in Florida.

SeaWorld officials say the killer whale had been in declining health and receiving treatment for a bacterial lung infection.

Tilikum was featured in the documentary "Blackfish," which made the case against keeping orcas in captivity.

SeaWorld faced intense backlash following the film and was forced to cut jobs as it lost promotional deals and took a hit in attendance.

Amid the controversy, the park announced it will end its theatrical orca shows on Sunday.

[thetokingtoad]

Damn, he was still pretty young when he died, poor sweetheart.

[DiscoveryNewsNow]

anyone know where I can find the video of the trainer getting killed, I've looked everywhere

[emilyz]

He belongs to the ocean, not the stupid sea world !!

[MiamiPushtheLimit]

I'm glad he's finally out of his misery. 😭

[anniekeller]

When will humanity stop imprisoning and tormenting wild animals by taking them out of their natural habitat, cruelly yanking them away from their mothers at a very young age, and putting them in cages and/or small pools, and then forcing them through the use of fear to do tricks for human entertainment?

[FBab-jblp]

if you pay for these horror shows, you are worst than sea world

[nioxreflection]

I literally went to sea world today with the family, yet they got a 5, 000 if not more pound whale in there, in fact they had the decency to bring out 4 whales that probably had a combined weight over 27000 thousand

[anniekeller]

Glad to hear he died. It was the only way he could end his misery.

[deanpodkubosek]

I watch Tilikum in videos from 2014 and 2015 and l can't understand that SEAWORLD is still shamelessly making money by entertaining an enthusiastic audience, while Dawn Brancheau, who' worked with him, with complete love for his coaching has been lying underground for several years...
They continued to make shameless money on an animal that killed Dawn Brancheau, women who was completely
committed to working with him out of the most sincere love....
Such as the SEAWORLD, are completely conscience, greedy and without respect and consideration for the victim who has earned for them for so many

[mrgarza]

I'm glad he's out of his misery
he was in hell