Your Daily Dish

Feeding Outrageous to you Daily

Hide Advertisement
  • Animals
    • Farm
    • Pets
    • Zoo
    • Wildlife
  • Family
    • Grandparents
    • Kids
    • Parents
  • Health
    • Exercise
    • Food
    • Medical
  • Humor
  • Lifestyle
    • News
    • Science & Tech
    • Travel
  • Videos
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Tilikum, SeaWorld’s Famous Orca and Star of ‘Blackfish’ Documentary, Has Died

By Margo Gothelf 2 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Source: Instagram seaworldorlando
Source: Instagram seaworldorlando

One of SeaWorld’s most popular orcas, Tilikum, who killed his trainer in 2010, has died.

The 36-year-old orca died surrounded by the care staff, veterinarians, and trainers at SeaWorld. The death of Tilikum is currently unknown, however he was being treated for a “persistent and complicated bacterial lung infection” at the time of his death.

Advertisement

The organization is awaiting necropsy results before they can determine a cause of death.

“Tilikum had, and will continue to have, a special place in the hearts of the SeaWorld family, as well as the millions of people all over the world that he inspired,” SeaWorld President and CEO Joel Manby said in a statement. “My heart goes out to our team who cared for him like family.”

Tilikum first came to SeaWorld in 1991 after living at Sealand in Canada. The orca was the main star of the 2012 documentary, Blackfish, which focused on Tilikum’s life in captivity and the death of SeaWorld trainer, Dawn Brancheau, during a show with the orca.

Brancheau and Tilikum were participating in a “Dine with Shamu” show when Tilikum pulled Brancheau from the platform by her ponytail into the water. Brancheau’s death was ruled accidental by a medical examiner, claiming the 40-year-old died from a mix of drowning and traumatic injuries.

SeaWorld faced major backlash after the death of Brancheau. They ultimately announced it would end its orca breeding program and shows involving killer whales in March 2016.

Tilikum
Source: Blackfish/Magnolia Pictures

“Tilikum’s life will always be inextricably connected with the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Dawn Brancheau,” SeaWorld wrote in a statement on their blog. “While we all experienced profound sadness about that loss, we continued to offer Tilikum the best care possible, each and every day, from the country’s leading experts in marine mammals. It’s important to remember that Tilikum lived a long and enriching life while at SeaWorld.”

Many people on social media are sharing that Tilikum is finally free including, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who frequently criticized SeaWorld for their treatment of the orcas.

BREAKING: After 33 years in captivity, Tilikum—who was the subject of #Blackfish—is dead. #RIPTilikum pic.twitter.com/Duj9KOEJbo

— PETA (@peta) January 6, 2017

He never got to feel the ocean currents & or see his family again. #RIPTilikum. You're finally free. #SeaWorld

— PETA (@peta) January 6, 2017

“SeaWorld needs to release all the remaining animals from its parks – the orcas, beluga whales, bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, walruses, penguins and others — and rehabilitate them back into nature or into coastal sanctuaries where they can spend the rest of their lives in as natural a setting as possible,” PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said in a statement.

While in captivity, Tilikum bred 21 times with 11 of his children dying before him.

Advertisement - Continue reading below

sdfdsf

New York City Program Is Giving Students in Shelters New Backpacks for the School Year
Lifestyle
Margo Gothelf 2 min read

New York City Program Is Giving Students in Shelters New Backpacks for the School Year

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Launch Bold $3 Billion Initiative to ‘Cure All Diseases’
Science & Tech
Mauricio Castillo 2 min read

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Launch Bold $3 Billion Initiative to ‘Cure All Diseases’

This College Student Beat Cancer Twice and Still Graduated From College in Four Years
Lifestyle
Margo Gothelf 2 min read

This College Student Beat Cancer Twice and Still Graduated From College in Four Years

New Study Claims Half of World’s Mammals At Risk Due to Climate Change
Science & Tech
Brian Delpozo 2 min read

New Study Claims Half of World’s Mammals At Risk Due to Climate Change

Daniel Radcliffe Goes Undercover to Stop Neo-Nazi Terrorists in ‘Imperium’ Trailer
Entertainment
Mauricio Castillo 1 min read

Daniel Radcliffe Goes Undercover to Stop Neo-Nazi Terrorists in ‘Imperium’ Trailer

This School’s Note to a Boy With Autism Moved His Mother to Tears
Lifestyle
Mauricio Castillo 2 min read

This School’s Note to a Boy With Autism Moved His Mother to Tears

Little Girl From Dublin Gets VIP Treatment From Santa After a Long Hospital Stay
Lifestyle
Margo Gothelf 2 min read

Little Girl From Dublin Gets VIP Treatment From Santa After a Long Hospital Stay

‘Sports Illustrated’ Model Ashley Graham Unveils Body-Positive Barbie Doll in Her Likeness
Apple
Jason Owen 2 min read

‘Sports Illustrated’ Model Ashley Graham Unveils Body-Positive Barbie Doll in Her Likeness

How and Why to Build a Cat Garden
Lifestyle
Lauren Boudreau 3 min read

How and Why to Build a Cat Garden

Gigi Hadid ‘Manhandled’ in Milan Street
Apple
Sara Wilkins 2 min read

Gigi Hadid ‘Manhandled’ in Milan Street

Rare White Giraffes Captured on Video for the First Time
News
Robin Milling 2 min read

Rare White Giraffes Captured on Video for the First Time

Jurassic World Chews Up Monday Movie Record In U.S.
Entertainment
Sara Wilkins 1 min read

Jurassic World Chews Up Monday Movie Record In U.S.

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers