A Look At The Terrifying Moment Orca Came Into View With Trainer In Its Mouth
Orcas are one of those animals that you may never have the pleasure of seeing in person, but people travel from all over to visit SeaWorld just to have this exact experience. Now, if you know anything about wild animals, they can be very unpredictable, even if they are in the same environment all the time.
Working with wild animals can be extremely dangerous; although it’s an exciting job, many workers are fully aware of the potential risks their jobs could pose. In this case, working at SeaWorld means you are around the largest sea creatures in the world, including Orcas.
Although trainers are experienced in their roles, there was one incident in particular that shook the world when it occurred. We are going to delve deeper into the terrifying moment when an orca swam past the viewing window with its trainer in its mouth.
This devastating event reverberated around the globe, prompting many to speak out against SeaWorld's practices afterward. If you want to learn more about this tragic event and see what people have to say about it, keep reading as we provide you with the details of this incident that occurred almost fifteen years ago.
This trainer worked at SeaWorld for fifteen years before this tragic event occurred.
Dawn Brancheau had been working at the Orlando resort with the orcas for over fifteen years and had even become SeaWorld’s poster girl. In 2010, the forty-year-old woman was pulled underwater while working with the twelve-thousand-pound killer whale Tilikum, also known as Tilly or Shamu.
Susanne De Wit was actually at the show at the time of the incident and witnessed the orca swim past the viewing window with Dawn in its mouth. An investigation into her death was immediately launched by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
This event led to a ban on trainers entering the water with the whales during shows. De Wit came forward and shared more about what she saw.
She told us more about what happened, what she saw, and what followed after this event.
De Wit stated in a report to the Sheriff’s Office, “They told us he was playing with the trainer. Suddenly, I saw Shamu grabbing the trainer by the shoulder and pulling her down into the water near the window. It did not look normal.”
“It was scary. He was very aggressive with the trainer still in the whale’s mouth. The whale’s tail was thrashing wildly in the water,” she continued.
“The tour guide pulled us out, and there was a full alarm. We then saw them throw a net into the water.”
Dawn’s family spoke out, expressing that they are still trying to understand what happened in that moment when Dawn was taken.
Witnessing tragic events like this serves as a reminder that anything can happen, and despite being experienced, bad things can still occur. This unfortunate event has left a lasting impression on many people, who remember this moment forever.
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