In the Orlando SeaWorld, a 30-year-old killer whale actually lived up to its name on Wednesday February 24, 2010, by drowning a trainer in front of horrified onlookers.

Police said 40-year-old Dawn Brancheau slipped and fell into his pool, but a witness said the orca rose up from the water and grabbed her by the waist and shook her.

The 30-year-old, 5-ton marine mammal – the largest killer whale in captivity – has killed before: He drowned a biology student in 1991 and a naked, dead gatecrasher was found draped on his back in 1999.

The previous incidents were not attacks but misguided attempts by the otherwise docile whale to play, experts said.

But Tilikum, nicknamed Telly, is getting old and he may be getting cranky. Florida park guest Victoria Biniak told WKMG-TV that Brancheau was outlining the upcoming show to tourists when the huge orca – who is not one of the whales that trainers get in the water with – suddenly loomed from the water.

“Telly 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,” Biniak said. “It was violent.”

Paramedics were unable to revive the veteran trainer, who was pronounced dead at the scene at about 2 p.m. Brancheau had wanted to do nothing but work at SeaWorld since visiting at age 9.

[via NY Daily News]

This story is incredibly traumatizing.  I am terrified of the ocean and ginormous animals such as whales… now my fear is even worse.  This poor girl… at least she died doing what she loved, but her life ended too soon.  I feel horrible for her family and her fellow co-workers.  I’d definitely get rid of Telly A.S.A.P.

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