Shamu is the affectionate name for all the killer whales in Sea World, either in Orlando, Florida or in San Diego, California. And ever since they were introduced in the parks, they have not really seriously hurt their trainers. Not until recently.
I have been to Sea World in Orlando and I have personally witnessed the Shamu show at the Shamu stadium. And I loved it! I adored the whales in this setting because they performed really well. And even if there were glitches, not that there were any, you would understand because these aren’t human. I really loved that show.
That is why I am really saddened to learn that one of them killed a trainer. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “(Trainer Dawn) Brancheau, 40, was petting and otherwise interacting with the killer whale in knee-deep water about 2 p.m. Wednesday when he grabbed her by the ponytail and wouldn’t let go, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office determined.” The trainer’s cause of death was “multiple traumatic injuries and drowning”.
And what I am really concerned about was that it happened during a show where thousands of people are watching. I believe that at any given time, thousands of people of all ages are watching the show. The stadium is always packed, I was told.
When I was in Florida last time, I also heard that Pluto fell off the float during the Disney Parade and the guy inside the costume died. What horror these instances give the kids! But well, I guess accidents can happen in the most unexpected places. There is no one really to blame. I should know!