Imagine going to work every single day encountering a black and white, 21.7 foot mammal weighing about 9,570 pounds. Yes this mammal has 2 eyes, breaths through the top of its head, and has anywhere from 40-56 teeth ranging from 3 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Just like a sprinter these mammals can swim up to 28 miles per hour, but only for short second increments; yet like long distance runner, the mammals can swim slowly, around 8 mph, for a long period of time. These mammals, the most powerful predators in the world, the largest of the dolphins, are Killer Whales
At the beloved SeaWorld, Dawn Brancheau’s life was going to work with these mammals. Apparently, Dawn was one of the most experienced trainers, and it makes sense she was since she was working with the most powerful predator. It was a normal day at work, Dawn and the whale were putting on the rehearsed show. However, Tilikum the whale, wasn’t necessarily taking direction to well that day. Dawn was working on the ledge, and Tilikum grabbed her ponytail and pulled her in.
Victoria Biniak told WKMG-TV , “The whale took off really fast in the tank, and then he came back, shot up in the air, grabbed the trainer by the waist and started thrashing around, and one of her shoes flew off.” Tilikum grabbed Dawn by her arms, starting playing or swimming around with her. The unfortunate result was Dawn drowning causing her death. Dawn always knew she wanted to work with marine mammals and said, “You can't put yourself in the water unless you trust them and they trust you”. Brancheau’s sister said that Dawn would not have wanted anything to be done to the whale, since they have personalities too! Some days are good and some bad, I guess this one happened to be a bad day. Brancheau must have known the risks before as well, since SeaWorld Killer Whales have been in previous accidents; a trainer was bitten at the foot and held underwater several times yet luckily escaped with solely a broken foot.
Not only did this tragic event affect Dawn Brancheau and her family, but the people left in the audience were also traumatized. There was a story of a 10 year boy, Bobby Connell, going to SeaWorld for his birthday and witnessing this event happen. Bobby Connell, "saw the look of horror and desperation on Dawn's face as she was swimming for her life," the complaint reads. He then saw Tilikum violently yank her down again to the depths of the pool. Lasting affects have been with this boy, he has cried more than ever, has been having nightmares, his personality has shifted, and he has also lost his appetite.
As a result of her death and the affected audience, members of OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, sued SeaWorld for $75,000 in violations. There were three specific violations committed. One violation issued was willful, meaning it was intentional disregard for the employees health and safety. Another violation was the failure to install a stairway beside the stage stadium where the event took place. SeaWorld clearly knew of the risks of allowing an employee to work closely, on the ledge, shelves, and pool walls with a very dangerous animal. The last violation was that SeaWorld lacked weatherproof enclosures on outlets in the stadium. Two of the three violations don’t even have a direct relationship with the death of Brancheau. No trainer has been in the water since the accident and people have suggested that Killer Whales should be kept in their natural habitat. OSHA believes that no trainer should be allowed to work with whales unless there is a physical barrier.
Personally, I believe that animals should be kept wherever their natural habitat is. Humans obviously can’t handle the interaction between a 2 ton animal and themselves. Yet I do find it important to be aware of the types of animals that many of us aren’t able to experience. Whether it be a Gorilla, or a Lion, or a Killer Whale. There is a significance in being knowledgeable about wild animals in their natural habitat, just to know who we share the world with. Dawn Brancheau clearly loved what she did, but was it worth risking her life to feed an animal? I think that based on OSHA’s recommendations for SeaWorld there could be a compromise to having dangerous animals like the Killer Whale on display, but there must be strict rules, equipment, and processes for this to occur. An innocent person shouldn’t loose his or her life because an animal had a bad day.
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