Allow me to acknowledge first and foremost, that the loss of these three individuals
is a tragedy: one their families and loved ones struggle to return from, never
completely recovering from. A given.
Here: I will review the SUBSTANCE of the three events. In the few times I offer a
possibility hinging on animal motive, its in context of what we know about animal
drivers/motivating factors along with this individual orcas prior behaviors & specific
circumstances.
Broken down here as:
Keep in mind that orcas cannot view humans the way we view ourselves.
We cannot expect them to.
Orcas clearly arent motivated by all the same things humans are
motivated by, given different social structures and biology. Orcas dont
mislead humans: we humans at times MISREAD them. Trying to assign orcas
the intents we humans have is a rancid form of anthropomorphism, one
that keeps us from seeing and comprehending orcas inside the context of
their own specific animal being. The human yardstick isnt one an orca can or
will measure against: its arrogance to think they should. It is in that arrogance
our own arrogance that humans place themselves in peril. Read on.
Keep in mind that some of us humans enjoy scaring ourselves. Our media
thrives on that odd joy: and accordingly has spun these unfortunate situations ad
nauseum.
Understand that orcas act within the orca social structure they were
raised in, while doing no harm.
Understand that orcas look for other whales around them: a norm in their
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social structure.
Keep in mind: orcas can hold their breath for ~ hr underwater. Orcas have no
way of knowing that we humans cant do the same.
Fact & premise: Trainers are DRESSED in orca-patterned wet suits: a repetitive visual
striving to look like orcas, to look alike. While one cant speak for how orcas
perceive this: the repetition and similarity could inform a sense of likeness in the
orcas toward us. While that is what Sea World hopes: it may also be working against
humans in that the intelligent orca species, held in captivity, has humanmade incentive to possibly self-reference when dealing with human
beings. (See above factor re: holding breath underwater. Consider this.)
Fact to keep in mind: Sea World states that Tilikum is a dry work only orca: no
water work is done with him. No desensing with humans in water, throughout
orca Tilikums captivity and to this day. Other captive orcas have water work: i.e.
trainers work with water work orcas extensively, are physically IN the water with
captive water work orcas, leap from their rostrums, ride, surf. Fact: A water
work orca has a different relationship to humans than a non-water
work orca does. Hence a different UNDERSTANDING OF experience of humans. Tilikum is a non-water work orca. Keep that in mind as you read on.
Keep in mind: orcas communicate to each other and we dont know what they
communicate to each other. Small possibility: other captive orcas discussing
water work experiences with non-water-work orca Tilikum. We simply dont
know.
Possibility: novelty drive increases in captivity (with a concurrent smaller
area to expend the novelty drive). If accurate, this would create bigger
problems over time for humans re: captive animal interactions.
Possibility: Sometimes we forget where curiosity begins and love leaves
off. (A primate issue)
(A bit about me which seems applicable here: Science and math came readily to
me. For grins, years ago, I taught anatomy & physiology and pathophysiology.
Biology interests stem from strength trainer expertise, proprioception physics, highlevel-analytics scientific pursuits and much more. I have discussed these below
scenarios with intelligent and educated others who know the fields of study which
advise them.)
3
Parts of the below analysis include carefully detailed aspects of the human anatomy.
Not gratuitously detailed: detailed for the sake of substance and clarity, to hopefully
remove the errors and hype around each situation. Read at your own risk.
Fact: there are multiple records of multiple orcas grabbing feet (and
other body parts). Read the web for nearly 40 years of said accounts.
Premise: given the prevalence of this behavior, across location, time,
orcas, trainers, etc. and also in light of what we know of these
physically-engaged, sensate animals we call orcas, grabbing and
touching humans is inside the realm of normal for captive orca
behavior.
Fact: orca who grabbed KB was Haida (multiple written accounts verify this).
(Not Tilikum.)
o
4
aggressive orca to subdue another orca unfortunately
remains well within the realm of human possibility. Look to
our human society to date to find an archaic model of this
behavior.)
Premise: ~ 10 minutes of play between orcas Haida, Nootka and Tilikum. (In
multiple articles, no one was timing it with a stop watch, best estimate given
a human-traumatic scenario in play.)
Premise: besides, if the orcas could have heard KB, how exciting would
it be to have a toy which also makes noise when you play with it?
Any animal owner can verify that to an already-excited animal, such is
even more exciting.
Fact: KB went up and down in the water x3, other trainers almost able to
reach her with a hook (multiple news articles, available on the web)
o
Fact: life ring was thrown to KB. Premise: increasing game of tag
interest for the orcas.
Fact: they (orcas) actively kept KB from getting out of the water.
Definitive trainer statement and observation. (see above premise*)
Premise: orcas were gentle, they tried not to hurt her observed by human
bystander (documented article, available on web). Considering how terrified
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most humans would be observing this scenario, the gentle observation is
quite telling. Correlates with play toy idea.
Premise: it took hours to retrieve her body. (No records available to prove
timeline, not timed by any present.)
o
Premise: In the idea of toy, the idea is to keep the toy away from
people. (see above conversation). Orcas won this game: not
maliciously, esp. if gentle (see above). Simply a game in the orca
world.
Fact: all Tilikum did was carry KBs dead body around on his back (see
## in text below as cross-reference), and it took two hours to retrieve
KB. Definitive trainer observation of action: likely tied to clock
observation: accepted as fact.
SUM: Tilikum didnt initiate this (Haida did the initial grab), he engaged in
orca play with dominant others as is his orca social structure, carried KB on
back. (Amazing the amount of inappropriate blame male orca Tilikum
received in the media for this KB case.) Not a death attributable to Tilikum
specifically: certainly not attributable directly to Tilikum actions/behaviors.
RULED OUT.
Fact & premise: July 6th: a Tuesday. Sea World typically stays open to the
public until 10pm. Since theres a late Shamu show (~9pm), probably much
Orca Tilikum and Associated 3 Human Deaths: Analysis
August 2013. Tracy E. L. Poured
www.qualiadevelopsnations.com
www.qualiaproductions.com
6
later when all visitors have left, all staff have left, all operations have been
settled/shut down for the night. DD event probably occurred early am: well
after dark.
Fact & premise: after dark, DD waited until everyone was gone, stripped out
of his clothes except a simple nylon bathing suit (other clothes were found in
a pile, not in the water), intentionally climbed over multiple barriers and
jumped (or likely dove) unannounced into 18 y.o. Tilikums pool.
Fact: DD reported by park staff to have jumped into other mammals pools at
other time and removed ie. manatees.
o
Fact & premise: its dark, possibly early morning. Tilikums in his pool. All of a
sudden theres a splash and something large enters his pool at a nonnormal time of day. Curiosity is a normal intelligent animal response. Since
this is a non-water work orca: the only two things that enter his pool are
food and toys. Tilikum checks out the object by echolocation = probably not
food (too big), must be a toy. Reasonable to assume orca is unstimulated,
given at a quiet time of night/early morning.
o
Fact: DD body found nude, draped across Tilikums back. (see ## for cross
reference) (second time this occurred. See above possibility.)
o
The man was sort of draped over the whales back behind the dorsal
fin. There was no obvious trauma. per Jim Solomons, Orange County
Sheriffs office.
Have you considered what effort & thought it would take for
Tilikum to place DDs body on his own back, unassisted, behind
the dorsal fin? Why would an animal go to all that trouble, never
mind a supposedly vicious one? (Remember, an orca has no
incentive to be gruesome and its not in orca nature to do so:
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thats an inappropriate human projection of human motives and
fears onto an animal.)
Possibility: consider that DD had a ponytail, tied back with two bands a blue
one and a white one (normally two bands are indicative of a longer length
ponytail: not absolute fact). While the media had an inappropriate field day
with third case DBs ponytail, consider that DDs ponytail remained intact.
Autopsy indicated hair/ponytail was intact on DDs head. (This erases
ponytail fascination/danger. If Tilikum had had a ponytail fascination, DDs
would have indicated play/use/tear/biting/missing etc. NONE of those were
stated in the DD autopsy). According to Sea World in courtroom, Tilikum was
desensed to ponytails. No ponytail factor: media hype/spin/creating fear
factor for their own inanely destructive pleasure.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/119465495/Daniel-Dukes-Medical-ExaminersReport
o
Fact: nylon swim trunks crotch & inner leg seams torn
open. No torn seams noted in autopsy report for the
slacks/pants: the pants didnt enter the pool.
9
slippery human body DD: a grab with (playful,
curious) orca teeth.
10
o
Tongue without evident recent injury. (DD didnt bite down or chew
on his tongue prior to death, common anxiety/fear/panic response in
traumatic situations.)
11
o
Fact: orca did not, does not have knowledge to sustain human
life.
After a midday show, in front of about 20 visitors who stuck around after the
show.
12
o
Fact & premise: DB previously lying down on a slideout area with her face
near Tilikum, apparently rubbing his head. (Apparently, according to web
reports, this was not the first time this occurred, so not abnormal per se.)
Standing in approximately 8 inches of water on platform when incident
occurred. Apparently likely DB had run out of food (part of reward training
systems), was tickling Tilikums tongue. (All actions reported to have been
observed happening prior to incident: these were not new behaviors between
DB & Tilikum. Experienced trainer DB had worked with Tilikum before.)
Fact & premise: Photographs, web data: Likely DB was tickling Tilikums
tongue, possibly her own body-signaling that she/DB was going to end the
attention/back away (as DB was to signal Tilikum to go to the glass area for a
photo op). Something ANY trainer would have done.
o
13
grabbed, if seen by panicked observer from across the way behind the
glass viewing from BEHIND orca body. DB head wasnt grabbed, only
her arm. (Play, accentuated by excited state.)
Will attempt to converge known reports of traumatic human event below. (as
italicized)
Barrel roll to the left and dove deep with DB in his mouth. Remember as
above, deep dive is a normal swim maneuver for an orca, even an
unstimulated orca, never mind a highly stimulated and excited orca.
Remember also, orca doesnt know that humans cant hold their
breath underwater for long periods of time. The toys the orcas
play with can essentially hold their breath forever. Orca Tilikum only
had food or toys in his pool until these three unfortunate
episodes. (sum to date = normal orca behavior, given scenario)
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Slammed twice head on lifeless body (DB likely dead here already) floated
to the surface (probably helped to surface by wetsuit material buoyancy plus
residual air in lungs), he swam to opposite end of pool, turned around and
swam toward DB, gaining speed and rammed DB. Pushing DB with his
nose. Behavior still consistent with overstimulated orca norm: ramming is a
known behavior associated with excited, overstimulated orcas. Pushing is a
normal orca behavior sans stimulation factor, given known orca physicality.
Captive orcas known to ram when overstimulated: very likely to ram/slam
toys in play as well. (Not personal AT ALL to DB as human or female or
trainer.) Physics Addendum note: autopsy shows DB sustained NO rammingrelated injury: which calls into question the actual force of the
slamming/ramming (all human observers were afraid at that time) and again
correlates to overstimulated orca play with toy. Keep reading.
Thrashed around on medical pool lift with Dawns body flailing wildly. =
consistent with over stimulated orca normal behavior, consistent with
keeping toy orca behavior. Expected and normal orca behavior, given
stimulated situation.
Orca Tilikum was almost released after DB body was extracted, but someone
noticed part of DB left arm was still in orcas mouth & had to retrieve it. Had
to pry orca mouth open. Part of DB arm came off in orcas mouth. / Human
arm had become detached due to reputable orca thrashing: thrashing r/t play
by orcas when in excited state. Given known physicality of adult orcas and
the biology of softer humans = expected outcome.
Other trainers couldnt get into the water to help DB because they too could
have become toys. Given the above scenario, a given. Continually over
stimulated orcas = no human contact at that time = life-preserving wisdom.
Orca had DB by the arm when they were ushered into the medical pool lift.
Fact: IF orca Tilikum had wanted to kill DB, taking her by the
head/chest/abdomen would have achieved that better and orca Tilikum knew
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that d/t orca social training to handle prey. NONE of that occurred. NO kill
move occurred. Arm hold = orca play.
Orca Tilikum followed weighted net thrust and commands through 2 adjoining
pools (a football fields length away) into the medical pool where trainers
lifted both Tilikum & DB, and retrieved DB body.
o
Fact: orca Tilikum, once over stimulation had been acted out
physically and was mostly passed, followed commands. (Play urge
still present, of course: normal.) IF orca Tilikum had wanted to
maliciously harm humans, he wouldnt have been able to be ushered
into the medical pool (no one can coax a 12,000lb orca anywhere if
said large animal doesnt allow it) and there would have been more
dead humans that day because a malicious killer would have
continued attacking humans within reach (ie. other trainers/personnel
who came to retrieve DBs body). Tilikum did NONE of those behaviors.
Sum so far = non-malicious intent. Accident due to play &
overstimulated orca state.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34026913/Dawn-Brancheau-Autopsy-Report
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Mandible fx = jaw fracture (left, between left incisor & left canine
w/assoc. hemorrhage). As discussed above. (Could have happened on
initial orca over stimulated grab of DB from the platform, ala
inadvertent orca rostum impact on human head.) Expected result of
play & physical engagement response from over stimulated orca.
Orca Tilikum and Associated 3 Human Deaths: Analysis
August 2013. Tracy E. L. Poured
www.qualiadevelopsnations.com
www.qualiaproductions.com
17
o
Fx (fracture) post 9-11th left ribs (floating rib). Consistent with human
left arm-in-orca mouth, whipping movements. Discussed at length
above.
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0.5cm lac & assoc pink contusion on ventral surface of left forearm:
3cm lac on left forearm; 2x2cm contusion on ventral left wrist;
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Consistent with orca teeth impact during grab/hold. (Small lacerations,
considering. Play hold, NOT harm or eat bite.)
o
Dislocated left elbow: Dislocated left knee. Consistent with the abovediscussed whipping motion and associated physics. Accidental.
Fact reviewed here for pertinence: being underwater for a long time is a
NORM for orcas. Orcas (in particular captive orcas) dont know that being
underwater a long time is NOT a norm for humans. Third death DB consistent
with SUBMERSION/DROWNING, NOT BFT. Accidental due to clearly over
stimulated orca behavior. RULED OUT.
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SUMMARY
Each of the three human deaths discussed here are RULED OUT for intention to kill.
All three human deaths associated with orca Tilikum are accidental.
End/TelP