February 24, 2010

Killer whale kills.

"The trainer was explaining different things about the whale and then the trainer that was down there walked away from the window. Then Telly (the whale) took off really fast in the tank and he came back, shot up in the air, grabbed the trainer by the waist and started thrashing (her) around. He was thrashing her around pretty good. It was violent."

ADDED: Theme park visitors were sitting there eating dinner — "Dining with Shamu" — next to a window to the whale's tank. Imagine biting into your food — thinking you're in this lovely, desirable environment — and seeing the whale swimming around with the dying woman in its mouth.

88 comments:

Christy said...

My trainer never left me with enough energy to thrash her about.

Automatic_Wing said...

Maybe Telly (the whale) didn't like being named after a candy-ass muppet.

rhhardin said...

Maybe it's a Joe Stack whale, John and Ken suggest.

He wants to be out in the ocean.

rhhardin said...

John (of John and Ken) is going to show his dog the whale story. He's training her to be a guard dog.

john said...

Breaking Channel 6 News Alert: "Guests Evacuated! Seaworld Closed!"

I hope they get the SWAT team in place before some other innocent gets in the way of this killer.

traditionalguy said...

I suspect that the Media will blame the Tea Party crowd. They have gotten the Orcas mad as hell so they wont take it anymore. Charlie Crist feels the trainers pain.

Fred4Pres said...

Clearly an act of terrorism.

Fred4Pres said...

These right wingers exploit these whales...well what do they expect. They brought it on themselves.

garage mahal said...

Anyone hear from Limbaugh today?

traditionalguy said...

Garage...LOL, that was funny!

Bob Ellison said...

If Telly were a pitbull, they'd have shot her immediately afterward.

ricpic said...

Couldn't we just cut all the cutesified crap and have a Sea World where a killer whale battles a giant squid to the death?

Full house every bout, guaranteed.

Fred4Pres said...

The comment from the whale was, "Tastes like chicken!"

Fred4Pres said...

littlebeartoe, a pit bull is not worth that much, a killer whale is worth millions (and it is not like SeaWorld can easily go out and get another one).

Moose said...

Those places depress me. I can't imagine how twisted those animals get living in such cramped confines.

If I had my way, and about billion dollars, I'd close them all down and try to rehabilitate the whales...

raf said...

The root cause of this problem is the name "killer" whale. What attitude would you expect someone to develop when constantly told he is a "killer"? Sea World should immediately change the name to something like "performing" whale, or "celebrity" whale, or maybe "superstar" whale and begin sensitivity training sessions to repair the wounded self-image of these abused animals.

traditionalguy said...

Is there any truth to the rumor that these whales were originally trained by Japanese in the whale division of Toyota Motors?

Greg Toombs said...

Telly the 'celebrity whale' had apparently passed the phase of blowing air rings to amuse himself.

Big Mike said...

I'm trying to hard to understand why some of the commentators on this thread think that what happened is humorous.

Dolphins and orcas are intelligent predators. We should leave them alone.

I'm with Moose, but I don't have a billion dollars either.

SDD said...

Reminds me of the Neko Case song, Some People Got a Lot of Nerve:

We know
They call them killer whales
But you seem surprised
When it pinned you down to the bottom of the tank
Where you can't turn around
It took half your leg, and both your lungs
And I craved I ate hearts of sharks
I know you know, that I'm a man, man, man
Man, man, man eater
But still you're surprised-prised-prised when I eat ya

Listen here.

traditionalguy said...

Big Mike...what is funny is that the narrative that the wild creatures are trainable and smarter than humans who are the real predators has been such a lie for so long, and suddenly the lifetime practitioners of the narrative are horribly killed by the real creatures red on tooth and claw. It is ironic, but it can be solved by killing Orcas and wolves and nazis on sight.

KCFleming said...
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Methadras said...

This never would have happened if real marine biologists and zoologists actually practiced their science and study in the habitat of the animals they wish to plunder profit from. I hate zoos and I hate marine aquariums and no one can make a justifiable claim as to why they exist outside of making money. I have no problem with making money, but to exhibit these animals in a way that hurts them is wrong.

The Drill SGT said...

In 1971 I was fishing for Salmon off Whidbey Island in WA in a small aluminum skiff (12').

Had an Orca surface and take a look in the boat.

Orca bigger than boat.

Intelligent clint in his eye.

I could read his mind.

"hmmm, canned human. Yummm!"

scared the pi$$ out of me.

David said...

What's really funny is Big Mike's complaint that we're being disrespectful to the whale.

kentuckyliz said...

SeaWorld is now KoiWorld, and there's a big special barbecue going on, with free blubber on a stick for the kids!

David said...

Apparently the whale had killed before, but Bill Delahunt called down and told the cops to let him go.

Greg Hlatky said...

This breed always turns on you.

wv: harkpol. So watch your wallet.

garage mahal said...

Agree with Methadras totally. especially seeing something like a wolf miserably pacing around a 10x10 cage in circles, eyes all glazed over knowing it will never get out. I just don't know why anyone would enjoy seeing a creature like that in that type of surrounding. I don't think fish give a shit where they are, but I think whales do, and the tanks these whales are housed into are tiny.

charliemax said...

Telly is a serial killer. Three victims according to CNN. Who will defend the whale in court?

Automatic_Wing said...

What's even worse is seeing a gorilla or orangutan in a little enclosure like that. They look just like people! Very depressing to me.

traditionalguy said...

This is a dilemma. Water boarding wont crack Telly. And please remember, Telly is only the "alleged killer" here. If AG Holder says so, then we we must try him at an aquarium in NYC. Steve Irwin would be the perfect defense counsel, but he is not answering his phone.

rhhardin said...

I've seen my dog pacing the living room.

Tibore said...

"Moose said...

If I had my way, and about billion dollars, I'd close them all down and try to rehabilitate the whales..."


Rehabilitate? The whales are criminals??

;)

Tibore said...

"littlebeartoe said...
If Telly were a pitbull, they'd have shot her immediately afterward."


If Telly were an Islamic radical, they'd have blamed the trainer.

... what, too soon?

David said...

rhhardin said...

"I've seen my dog pacing the living room."

Sleep well tonight, RH.

David said...

"Killer Whale kills."

Probably good to avoid the Sperm Whale too.

JAL said...

I see David already picked up on a similarity with the Bishop SDS - Severe Denial Syndrome.

Seriouly. If you had a dog implicated in a killing of a person, the dog would be dead. So what was the story in 1991?

Maybe they should have turned that big fellow to out to sea way back when and let him fend for himself.

With the second victim having a bite on him .. and now the story includes his body was found "draped" over the orca ...?

So. Is this a case of three strikes and you're out?

Seems like an escalation to me. (That last observation courtesy of Criminal Minds.)

Matthew Noto said...

Telly is kept in an as close an approximation to his native habitat as humans can contrive, supported by taxpayer and tourist dollars.

He is fed copious amounts of fish daily -- at no personal expense -- which relievs him of the "demeaning" necessity of having to hunt, and thus, work for a living.

He is treated as if he were something special,over and above your "average" mammal, protected by special legal status (are killer whales protected under the Endangered Species Act?), and surrounded by an endless array of "experts", who are only thus because they've never actually worked a day outside the Ivory Tower of Academia, in the Private Sector, who "study" his behavior and will ultimately explain this incident away with the "it's in his nature.." or "how would you like to be cooped up...", or "The culture doesn't truly understand killer whales.." defense.

If Telly had two legs, could apply for food stamps and vote for Obama, his life would sound an awful lot like that of many of the "oppressed minorties" here on land.

No doubt President Obama will be on television tomorrow criticizing the SWAT team of having acted stupidly, profiling, and being "species-ist", before relenting to public pressure and inviting them over for beer and a photo op.

It's a freakin' top-of-the-food-chain predator, so what did anyone expect? It's apparently more dangerous in it's taxpayer-and-tourist-supported sanctuary --under "professional and expert" supervision -- than any of my handguns ever were.

I don't feel sorry for Telly at all, and will shed no tears when he finally gets to the Cat Food factory.

Matthew Noto said...

Oh, I forgot...Telly gets free health care too, doesn't he?

Fred4Pres said...

The whale heard rumors that he might be taxed on his premium health care plan and just freaked out. It could happen to anyone.

Big Mike said...

What's really funny is Big Mike's complaint that we're being disrespectful to the whale.

Where did you get that?

@David, you're weird.

Big Mike said...

@Tibore, I'm sure he meant rehabituate.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

I've seen my dog pacing the living room.

That's nothing.

When your cat is kneading your stomach...she isn't in love...she's checking for tenderness. Nom nom nom.

Hoosier Daddy said...

On the news the reporter said 'officials are still trying to determine how this happened.'

For a dumb hick like me, the words 'killer' whale and the fact that its a 'wild animal' immediately leapt to mind but hey, I'm slow.

Clearly a tragedy but I really have a hard time wondering why some people act so shocked when animals behave as well....animals.

KCFleming said...
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traditionalguy said...

DBQ...Have no fear. Even Killer Kittys are usually smart enough to understand where their food comes from. On the other, hand I would avoid dressing up in an Easter Bunny costume around the cat.

prairie wind said...

Such a sad story. Such funny comments.

KCFleming said...
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Peter V. Bella said...

They claim there was no foul. I got a laugh out of that. Only total moronic PR people could come wup with that line.

Where are they going to try the whale? Will it be a marine tribunal or a civilian court? Has PETA hired an attorney yet?

Is this a capital offense? Is there a super-max prison for whales? How do you water board a whale?

KCFleming said...
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KCFleming said...
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KCFleming said...
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knox said...

According to the article, this whale has killed 3 people?!

Just stating the obvious here, but maybe it's time to consider, I don't know, maybe to STOP training killer whales...? Maybe?

Jason said...

Two more kills, and he becomes an ace!!!

KCFleming said...
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knox said...

I also agree that it's cruel to keep wild animals in confined spaces when it is unnecessary and avoidable. Humans ultimately have power over the animal world; they shouldn't abuse it.

KCFleming said...
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Peter V. Bella said...

OK, so are they going to kill the whale? What sushi restaurant will get the carcass?

KCFleming said...
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KCFleming said...
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MadisonMan said...

Echoing Big Mike, why is someone getting killed funny?

KCFleming said...
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KCFleming said...
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Unknown said...

This is yet another lesson, with a terrible price, that nature is violence. I suppose nature will continue to teach us until we learn.

traditionalguy said...

This is indeed serious business. It all started bcoming funny when Garage asked, "Anyone hear from Limbaugh today?"The image of Limbaugh in a tank gone beserk on a liberal caller was more than I could take.As penance I solemnly promise never to refer to Rush as Shamu the Killer Conservative again.

Peter V. Bella said...

Of course they could import Alaskan Eskimos to execute the whale and butcher it.

The Japanese are proficient at this too.

Peano said...

As Steve Irwin said after taking his infant son into an alligator pen during feeding time: "It's all about perceived danger; I was in complete control."

These people who work with wild animals know what they're doing. Right?

Anonymous said...

"Sometimes you gotta laugh at the reaper."
..and sometimes that laugh seems unfeeling in light of the woman's death of which you make merry

Quaestor said...

Future Headline:

Billionaire Moose Devoured by Rehabilitated Whales

wv: cuseda -- religious zealot from Brooklyn

David said...

What's funny about this? Well, Jason is.

He said: "Two more kills, and he becomes an ace!!!"

Now, that's funny.

In other news, cat food futures declined 2% late yesterday on rumors of oversupply.

When asked whether there was laughter in heaven, Chuckles the Clown had no comment.

Quaestor said...

Pogo wrote:
At least she died doing what she loved.

What, drowning?

wv: ducts -- the actual word I've been given to verify in quite a while. I suppose its a case of o million monkeys with typewriters.

traditionalguy said...

Sometimes you cannot explain a joke that is about the human condition we are trapped into. The theme of life for the past 6 months has our being trapped in a dying economy with a governing elite only interested in padding their own nest as part of a new international elite and promising us death panels as a fix. that is like having to believe in politically correct diversity while Maj Hansan goes on his spree, or having to believe that Tilly is a friendly pet we play with until the truth erupts in a judgement day that any fool could plainly see was coming...but we are told that we are incorrect for expressing ourselves about it around the educated sophisticates.

David said...

Pogo was kidding.

Plus it's pretty unlikely the poor lady died of drowning.

AST said...

The pictures they broadcast on Fox showed the whale nursing a baby. If this whale was a recent mother, it might not have been a great idea to put her back to work too soon. They might have just been stock video, though. I don't know for sure.

Still, performing with a species associated with the term "killer"--what could go wrong? Just ask Roy.

Brian Hancock said...

killer whale
predator mammal
wild animal

respect and never underestimate the power of adjectives is the lesson here, I guess.

KCFleming said...
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Michael said...

I am generally unmoved by animal "trainers" being turned upon by their trainees. I get a bit skittish when cougars attack joggers and coyotes kill hikers, but when the Alaska bear man and his girl friend find themselves on the eaten end of the study I am pretty much OK that once again the "study" showed that animals are not humans.

Roger J. said...

Wow--this is really a funny story!
Loved the comments(sarcasm off)--seems to me two victims here--the unfortunate trainer and the Whale (Tillikum or Tilly, not telly--read the Orlando sentinal story)

Leave wild animals in their natural habitats; do not try to make house pets out of them.

KCFleming said...

OK, I'm wrong.

AllenS said...

A dreadful story. Now that it's over, it's time to call either an Eskimo or a Japanese man. They'll know what to do.

Moose said...

Sorry - this is funny...

http://www.thenoseonyourface.com/animal-rights/photo-emerges-of-murderous-killer-whale-at-tea-party-rally/

Anonymous said...

I didn't notice any reporting in the story that the killer whale would be put down, due to its history of...erm, killing people.
It seems to me that the official who did not put down this killing killer whale immediately following the last incident should be fed to the whale himself and then the next day, the facility should have filet-o-fish burgers on its menu.

LordSomber said...

Don't be too harsh on this killer whale. He might get in your face and hit back twice as hard.

Big Mike said...

@AllenS, point of information. The Japanese and Eskimeaux do not hunt toothed whales. They ain't dumb enough to hunt something that might hunt back.

mariner said...

Big Mike:
I'm trying to hard to understand why some of the commentators on this thread think that what happened is humorous.

I don't think what happened was humorous; I think the response to it is hilarious. (If I thought about it too much I'd just cry.)

The "they're so cute" crowd just doesn't get it: these animals were named "killer whales" for a reason, dumbasses.

"What do they do when they meet a great white shark? Lunch, according to witnesses." - National Geographic

rhhardin said...

Imagine biting into your food and seeing the whale swimming around with the dying woman in its mouth.

That's the fish dinner.

JAL said...

Imagine biting into your food — thinking you're in this lovely, desirable environment — and seeing the whale swimming around with the dying woman in its mouth.

No thanks. I think I'll pass on this cafe.

And in case you haven't noticed, all the victims of this whale "drowned."

Kind of like it wasn't the whale's fault. Or something.