SeaWorld: Orca that killed trainer is ill
Tue., March 8, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld officials say the killer whale responsible for the death of a trainer is very sick.
In a post on the park’s blog Tuesday, officials say Tilikum appears to have a bacterial infection in his lungs. They say the infection has been resistant to treatment thus far, so veterinarians are just trying to manage it and make sure he is comfortable.
Tilikum has been at SeaWorld for 23 years.
The orca was blamed for the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
The documentary “Blackfish” chronicled Tilikum’s life and fueled criticism of SeaWorld by animal rights’ activists.
Local journalism is essential.
Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds.
Subscribe to the Coronavirus newsletter
Get the day’s latest Coronavirus news delivered to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter.
