SeaWorld's Tilikum Killer Whale Dies

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Tilikum, the SeaWorld killer whale that killed one of its trainers and starred in a controversial documentary denouncing marine mammals in captivity, died this Friday, the Orlando theme park reported.

The park released the news through its website, where it explained that the 35-year-old whale, the world's largest in captivity, died surrounded by its trainers and keepers, while veterinarians provided first-class care.

In March last year the recreation center warned that the animal's health was deteriorating rapidly and that it might be dying. He also announced that neither in his park nor in its sister parks would one of these marine mammals be owned again.

SeaWorld has been in the midst of fierce controversy over having whales in captivity. PETA and even many celebrities have spoken out against the conditions in which the famous whale lived. Criticism grew when the documentary “Blackfish” came out, which presents the trauma that living outside their habitat can represent for these types of animals.

For his part, Joel Manby CEO of SeaWorld, stated: “My heart goes out to our beloved team, who took care of him (Tilikum), as a family.