Bad Shamu, bad ....

[Pt.JudeJoe]

This is terrible ,how could this happen? I'm sorry, what kind of whale did you say this was?

[Dick Durand]

Apparently, the whale was uncooperative earlier that day. Three deaths and still kept in a pool when they roam the ocean. I remember the polar bear at Slater Park years ago that swayed side to side all day long. And to think we have cabin fever.

[WoodyCT]

I understand he just wanted to play, but he held the trainer under until she drowned.

If it had been an aggressive attack they'd still be skimming and vacumming trainer parts out of the pool.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by WoodyCT

I understand he just wanted to play, but he held the trainer under until she drowned.

Minor detail that an orca can hold it breath just a little longer than a human,,,,,,,

Maybe that wasn't part of the training...let the trainer come to the surface every couple of minutes?

[FishermanTim]

It's always just a matter of time before the whales either learn that they CAN attak their captures, or they finally snap and go stir crazy.
Remember, a guilded cage is still a cage, no matter how pretty you make it look. I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibilities that this adult male whale was exerting HIS dominance in HIS realm.
Although WE made this creature what he is today, WE also bear the responsibility for resolving the issue. Since this creature has proven on NUMEROUS OCCAISIONS that it can and will take a human life, WE should treat it no differently than if a bear or dog had attacked a human. The most humane (ironic to say the least) thing would be to put it down. I couldn't even begin to imagine how this creature would survive if released, or if it could for that matter.

Another point to consider (for comparative reasons):
Adult male elephants are not used in circus shows because when the elephant reaches true adulthood, they become unpredictable and uncontrolable. Most stories of rampaging elephants are usually males and had been in the circus venues for most of thier lives.
Think about a moody, unresponsive, aggressively defiant 3-5 ton hormone-raging teenager and that's similar to these elephants.

I am not a fan of these "captured" animal shows, because the animals were either taken from their natural environment, or bred in captivity (making them conditioned for human support).
In otherwords, the animal equal to slavery. Sure, they can be well fed, pampered and exercised regularly, but since they are removed from their natural environment and native fellow whales, they are in essence, in a prison.....FOR LIFE!

Remember Kiko, the inspiration for "Free Willy?
They released her up north, and she died after hanging around the salmon farms somewhere near Greenland (I believe). She died from an infection, that she had no immunities against, having been in captivity for most of her life. The bottom line was that she had been so accustomed to human interaction, that she couldn't interact witgh members of her own species.

OK, enough ranting...you'll start thinking that I'm a member of PETA or some other animal rights exremist group.
I say put him down and turn the tank into a fishing pond!

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

Adult male elephants are not used in circus shows because when the elephant reaches true adulthood, they become unpredictable and uncontrolable. Most stories of rampaging elephants are usually males and had been in the circus venues for most of thier lives.

Same thing with Chimpanzees.....most of the ones you see on TV are juvenile....once they get on in years they can turn and rage for no apparent reason.

Look at that woman in CT......had her face ripped off by a pet chimp. They are savage when they go off

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by Pt.JudeJoe

This is terrible ,how could this happen? I'm sorry, what kind of whale did you say this was?