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.

For more orca facts

click here:

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.

Read Dawn’s obituary written by family members:

Donations to Dawn Brancheau can be made to the Dawn Brancheau Memorial Fund, c/o US Bank, P.O. Box 809231, Chicago, IL 60680-9231.

Dawn, may you rest peacefully in the arms of angels …

Tilly, may you be able to live the rest of your natural life swimming free in the ocean…