Please note: Some parts of the conversation with Tilly have been edited out of respect for Dawn Brancheau’s family and loved ones.
Trainer Dawn Brancheau
My heart sank when I heard the horrible news last week about Tilikum, a killer whale at Sea World Orlando who grabbed a well respected and experienced trainer, Dawn Brancheau and caused her death.
I immediately felt a sense of sadness for the loss of Dawn’s life and a deep sorrow for the killer whale.
What do we know about Dawn Brancheau?
From what I have learned, Dawn loved all animals and children. She would never have wanted anything to happen to Tilly or any of the other animals. At a young age Dawn knew she wanted to work with the whales. The job at Sea World was like a dream come true. She was a kind and loving person and often volunteered at a local shelter and helped any animal in need. Dawn truly loved these whales. She will be missed by her very large and loving family.
Three tragic deaths involving Tilly…
What do we know about Tilly? He was captured about 25 years ago as a wild orca and was taken from his pod. He has been involved in 3 fatal incidents, two involving trainers and one with a deranged man who was found dead the next day. This man hid in the park and waited until after it closed and then he apparently jumped into Tilly’s pool. Tilly has performed for thousands of visitors and created huge profits for the park.
Wild orcas can travel 100 miles a day in search of food
Killer whales are the largest member of the dolpin family and have complex social structures, family pods and communication systems.
Many of us have very strong opinions about keeping wild animals captive in sea parks, zoos and aquariums like Sea World. What is the right thing to do? How do the animals feel about being held captive in an artificial environment?
Dolpins and whales in the news…
Capturing or slaughtering dolphins, whales and other sea creatures has recently stirred up a lot of controversy. The popular show ‘Whale Wars’ on Animal Planet follows Captain Paul Watson the crew of the Sea Shepherd in the battle against illegal whaling. (Warning graphic images in video)
The academy award winning documentary, The Cove, exposes the slaughter of more than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises in Taiji, Japan every year and how their meat, containing toxic levels of mercury, is being sold as food in Japan and other parts of Asia, often labeled as whale meat. The majority of the world is not aware this is happening as the Taiji cove is blocked off from the public (Warning graphic images in video)
So what is the answer? Should wild animals be held in parks or aquariums?
Both sides argue their points…
Those who argue for continuing to keep wild animals in parks maintain that the studies, research and education benefits far outweigh rare accidents like this. They also advocate a need for protecting wild animals which otherwise would be poached or eliminated in their natural habitat.
Those who argue against keeping wild animals in parks feel it is simply cruel to place a wild animal like Tilly in a small pool. In Tilly’s case, he was captured as a wild killer whale and has now spent about 25 years in captivity. They argue that wild animals deserve to be wild and free.
What does Tilly think?
During a recent radio show I was asked to check in with Tilly to see what he could tell us about the accident. Not knowing any details about what happened I asked him to share his thoughts.
I was immediately hit with his frustration. To say he had a bad attitude was an understatement. I could feel his tension, anger and even some jealousy as I opened up to his thoughts.
Was he remorseful?
Was he playing?
Could he have saved her?
His answers surprised me even though I really didn’t go into this expecting a certain response. I know one thing for sure. Tilly knew exactly what he was doing.
While I feel there is no easy answer here especially in the case with Tilly, my stance remains that I feel it is wrong to keep wild animals in captivity unless they are being rehabilitated or cannot be released into their natural habitat.
Warning! Sensitive listeners may not want to hear Tilly’s messages.Although there is nothing graphic some of the messages are difficult to hear
For a link to the interview on the ‘You Are What You Love’ radio show with host, Vaishali, see link below
Click here to listen to the show-Choose from archived show 2/26/10
View video after the tragedy - No graphic scenes
The world has lost a beautiful woman who loved animals and devoted her life to them. As for Tilly, the show will continue according to Sea World officials.
No trainers are allowed in the water with the whales pending further investigation.
As an Animal Communicator and animal advocate I am frequently asked this question.
Montague the rooster
The psychic fairs that I attended for the last 5 years allowed me to lecture in front of hundreds of people. At the end of the lecture I would always take a few questions from the crowd. It never failed…that question always came up.
Many of us are becoming aware of the health advantages of a vegetarian or vegan diet. For a definition click here
Is going Veg right for you?
I will admit that I changed my dietary habits after I communicated with the animals that were going to be used for consumption. It was heartbreaking to hear their thoughts and fears.
Here is a site that I love GoVeg.com. Lots of great recipes and resources. Be aware that the video section is difficult to watch. So if you are sensitive beware.
Looking back, I’m actually glad I watched the videos. Although it made me ill and I was disgusted afterward, it really helped me take the leap to a different type of lifestyle that did not include animal products.
Wild turkeys outside my kitchen window
I think this decision is a personal one that you make based on your specific dietary needs, requirements, belief system and your doctor’s recommendations.
My diet does not include consuming the meat of animals. I am also eliminating dairy products and leaning toward a vegan diet now that I know how much animals suffer in factory farms and dairies.
Not to imply that all farmers or ranchers mistreat their animals. This is specifically geared toward large factory farms.
Do what feels right to you…
If you have a moral issue with consuming animal products there are many sites and groups that support a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.
Click here to learn how to become a vegetarian or vegan.
Animals are masters at covering up their illness and injury.
They tell me it is a sign of weakness in the animal kingdom. By the time we notice something is wrong it can be too late.
Dehydration can be an indication of illness or injury and in some cases lead to death.
This simple test can provide early detection and even save lives.
1) Gently pull up on your animal’s skin on their back near the shoulders into a ‘tent’.
2) Release the skin
If the skin stays in this ‘tent’ position after you have released the skin or it is slow to return to it’s normal place then your animal may be dehydrated and you should call veterinarian as soon as possible.
If the skin returns to it’s normal place quickly this is an indication that your animal is properly hydrated.
Cats can become dehydrated quickly so perform this test on a regular basis so you know what ‘normal’ is like for your animals.
I’m the kind of person who drops my change into that collection jar on the counter to help a family in need.
I’m sure you’ve seen the cans or jars set up to collect money for someone you don’t even know. I look at their photo and think, “How sad…” as I say a silent prayer for them. As my extra change drops to the bottom of the collection jar I give a silent ‘Thank you’ that I am in good health.
Soon I’m on my way I feeling like I did my small part to help a family in need.
What would you do if an old friend of yours was sick and in the hospital for almost a year?
Sadly…I found out first hand with a dear friend of mine, Peggy Dieterman. This is Peggy & Doug’s engagement photo.
This nightmare began last year right around this time…
In October of 2008, my husband Daniel and I flew to Newport Beach, CA to attend the wedding of my dear friend Peggy. Peg and I met back in 1986 at the mortgage company we worked at in Orange County, California and became very close friends.
Seeing how beautiful Peg looked and how happy she and her new husband, Doug warmed my heart and made me realize how important my friends are to me. Peg always made an effort to come and see me whenever I was in Los Angeles. Peg waited until she was in her 40’s to marry the man of her dreams. In the photo below,
Peg (On the right) and I during happier times.
Around Thanksgiving of 2008 Peg wasn’t feeling well and began to complain of lower back pain. By New Year’s Eve 2009, Peg was losing her eyesight and had already lost her hearing in one ear. Doctors were at a loss as to what was wrong with her.
By March 2009, Peg’s condition was so severe she started having seizures. Peg was admitted into the hospital as Doug could no longer care for her. Fast forward to her current status. Peg is now in a 24 hour rehabilitation center near her home in La Mirada, CA. Doctors removed a cancerous right kidney last March but still do not know why Peg is not getting better.
Peg cannot hear at all.
Her eyesight is blurred.
She cannot speak and has been on a trachea tube and feeding tube for almost a year.
Doctors are still baffled and offer little other than a ‘wait and see’ approach.
Her family and friends and of course her new husband Doug are devastated. Doug has spent literally every day at the hospital with Peg. He has the love and support of his faith, his family and friends but now is facing financial difficulties.
Doug is back to work after exhausting his family leave and now trying to keep their home from foreclosure. Unfortunately Medical now takes all of Peg’s Social Security checks. Medical bills have overwhelmed him and his savings has run dry. His family has given as much help as they can and yet Doug is trying his best to stay positive hold it all together hoping that someday Peg will come home to him.
Taken in Palm Springs, CA 1993 - Peg is 2nd from left in the white hat. I am just above her in the straw hat.
Peg’s prognosis at this point is guarded. She is unable to communicate.
This once funny, vibrant, gorgeous woman is now almost lifeless and nothing but skin and bones.
Long term 24 hour care is needed to keep her on the trachea tube and to continue physical therapy.
A fund has been set up at the Bank of America in La Mirada, CA to assist with Peg’s medical bills. Any amount you can spare is appreciated and so desperately needed.
Your contribution will help this family with this difficult time and hopefully someday, our Peg will come home.
Doug is asking for any amount you can spare. Thank you in advance for your contribution and please pass this along to others who may be able to help. Account Information:
Peg’s Fund
Peggy and Doug Dieterman
Cindy said they desperately needed my help to find a 2 year old lab named Wally. Wally was an owner surrender who came to ROFF in an effort to find him his new forever home.
Here is Wally when he came to ROFF.
After only a couple days, Wally’s new foster mom took him outside and he slipped out of his harness and disappeared. After searching the area day and night for four days, Cindy and the ROFF volunteers were devastated when they could not find him.
In desperation they contacted another Animal Communicator. Apparently this other Communicator made contact with Wally but was unable to provide any details about where he was. Finding a lost animal is extremely difficult and takes a tremendous amount of energy.
Cindy kept searching the Internet until she found my website and contacted me.
Cindy explained that they had even hired a scent tracking dog but they got no new leads.
After reviewing his case and photo I felt I could get enough information to help Cindy and the ROFF volunteers find Wally.
Here is Wally’s story from Cindy:
We took Wally in from the local humane society as an owner surrender due to divorce. We knew immediately this poor boy was afraid of all humans and we knew it was going to be a task to get him to trust again. We only had him in rescue for two days when his foster mother called and said Wally was missing.
She took him outside and he slipped his collar and was gone! We searched day and night, we contacted all of the local vets in case someone brought in a hit by car, we posted fliers on every telephone pole, we contacted all the local radio stations begging the people in this neighborhood to please check around their porches and garages, then we set a humane live trap.
After a few days and no sightings I brought in a tracking dog. We were not successful with this. So at this point I was out of options, or so I thought. I got on line looking for a Pet communicator, it was my last resort. We found Karen Anderson who worked diligently to help us find our boy.
Wally was terrified of humans and trusted no one. Karen was giving us locations and land marks to look for, she was also letting us know he was still alive. We then got our first sighting on him in a field about 2 miles from where he went missing. We set the live trap and a game camera. The next morning I went out to check the trap and there was a yellow lab in it. I wasn’t getting too excited because I thought I trapped someones dog. Wally has a scar under his left eye. I walked up to the trap and saw a scar under the left eye…it was Wally!
Wally was missing for 5 1/2 weeks. I was desperate to get him out of the field with hunting season and the cold weather upon us. Other than testing positive for Lyme disease removing ticks, Wally was in pretty good shape. I am fostering Wally at home with my four other labs and Wally loves them all. I am working with my trainers to help Wally to learn to trust people and he is coming slowly out of his shell. The other night he crawled in bed me and two other labs to watch television. His photo is below.
All the details Karen gave us fit to a “T” including where we found him after 5 1/2 weeks. Thank you Karen so much for bringing our boy back to us.
Thank you,
Cindy McClellan
Rescue Our Furry Friends
Here you can see CeeJay on the left, Jayden in the middle and Wally on the right.
