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February 25, 2010 2:40 PM

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SeaWorld Trainer Killed: PETA Says "It Will Happen Again"

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

(Jeffrey Sasse)

(AP Photo/Jonathan Gross)

(AP)

NEW YORK (CBS) Debbie Leahy, PETA's Director of Captive Animals, says the death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau didn't have to happen, and if SeaWorld keeps holding their killer whales captive "it will happen again."

Photo: Dawn Brancheau.

PICTURES: Dawn Brancheau SeaWorld Trainer Killed

"It was only a matter of time that something like this would happen," Leahy told CBS News' Crimesider in a Thursday interview. "It was a very angry, very frustrated orca who snapped and decided to take it out on a person."

On Wednesday, long-time SeaWorld trainer Brancheau was pulled into the tank by Tilikum the killer whale from a poolside platform.

Photo: Dawn Brancheau.

PICTURES: Dawn Brancheau SeaWorld Trainer Killed

Despite workers rushing to help, the 40-year-old trainer died from "multiple traumatic injuries" and drowning, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

PETA, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has often flirted with controversy in pursuing its mission for animal rights. The organization has long been calling on SeaWorld to stop confining killer whales and other ocean-going mammals and forcing them to repeatedly perform "silly tricks" for food, according to a statement.

PICTURES: Dawn Brancheau SeaWorld Trainer Killed

"It's not surprising when these huge, smart animals lash out," Leahy told Crimesider. "This is not the first incident in which a trainer has been harmed by an animal who has been deprived of any semblance of life."

Because of his size and the previous deaths, SeaWorld trainers are not supposed to get into the water with Tilikum, and Brancheau was only one of about a dozen of the park's 29 trainers who worked with him, according to The Associated Press.

How can both animals and humans stay safe in the future? One solution suggested by PETA is replacing the park's animals with giant robots.

"It would be a win-win situation that could have saved a woman's life," according to PETA.

Calls from Crimesider to SeaWorld were not returned by press time.

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PICTURES: Dawn Brancheau SeaWorld Trainer Killed

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
February 25, 2010 - Dawn Brancheau Pictures: SeaWorld Trainer Loved Whale That Killed Her
February 24, 2010 - Tillikum the Killer Whale Had Violent Past Before Deadly Attack on SeaWorld Trainer
February 24, 2010 - SeaWorld Trainer Killed by Tillikum the Whale

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by outwestbutnotca February 26, 2010 9:57 AM EST: Yawn. Why does the press insist on making PETA (et al) news? Seeing members of these groups caught and brought up on charges would be interesting. Piracy for the whale group that is attacking the Japanese and terrorism charges when they catch PETA breaking into a lab to "save" animals. Now THAT would be interesting. Otherwise, ignore them and eventually they will have to get day jobs and become useful members of society.; Reply to this comment


by jrgolden February 26, 2010 9:41 AM EST: I would just like to add that maybe, and I don't know much, but just maybe if they kept Tilly in a larger area, with the ability to actually swim, he might not be stressed. From the pictures they are showing all over, it looks like he is in what would equate to a kiddie pool, kept separate so he can only breed when Sea World deems it necessary. It looks like he is in Jail! What do they expect! He should be able to swim freely with the others. Although captivity swimming is nothing like in the wild, he should have the opportunity to move about!; Reply to this comment


by jondoe12 February 26, 2010 9:40 AM EST: PETA is a bunch of wack jobs and liers i will never support them they like to just make shlt up to support there causes!; Reply to this comment


by erosenbaum February 26, 2010 1:08 AM EST: Debbie Leahy and PETA are idoits, replace all the orcas with giant robots?????? I have never agreed with peta's beliefs and practices... never will.. but this statement is going too far. IF the whale had something to do with her death then the whale should be released into the wild. As a country girl,i know that male animals are the most agreesive, bulls will be bulls. Meaning they are agressive and are genetically conditioned to care for their females. As for the other instances that this whale was supposedly guilty of killing.... y would they keep him in captivity if he was a true killer?? peta needs to find some cause that is worth pursing.... why not try to protect the ozark cave lizard? wasn't peta the folks screaming about the bald eagle population?? I can tell you know where at least 15 mated pairs are.. so they arn't as endangered, if i can see them from the roadway, as peta screams!; Reply to this comment


by sealove55 February 26, 2010 12:59 AM EST: What a horrible tragedy for both this wonderful young lady to have to die this way...loving the very thing she gave her life and heart too. Her family and friends all need prayer to handle this. What a decision it is to make for the whale. We all need to carefully think and examine what the best solution would be. Knowing the whale's past...it might be best to allow it to be put down, and given to those who do eat whale. But also, the fact that Sea World said the whale has been fine along side it's other whales, then possibly the best thing would be, to just keep him with them, and not in the public eye. Everyone knows...that any animal, whether trained or not...there is always risks involved when getting intimate with them. We are not always able to understand "their" behavior, especially like this one. We can only speculate all the what if's or were's. As much as I love my dog with all my heart, I am fully aware that his behavior could change in accordance with his own understanding. I don't live in any fear of him...but being an ex mail carrier, I know animals are still "animals". So, with that in mind, we must always accept, that they don't think and plan like we do. But, being human, we still love and admire them, and want to share our love with them. Let's all hope that Sea World makes the best decision, and let's all keep in mind, this girl's sacrafice, for allowing all of us, the pleasure of seeing both man and animals be "friends". Now, it's her family and loved ones who must deal with the reality. My prayers and love to them.; Reply to this comment

by novamba February 25, 2010 11:41 PM EST

I am so glad Peta has found the time to let their opinion be known now that we have sheltered all our homeless, fed all our poor, and cared for all our sick.

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by realllllly February 26, 2010 1:01 AM EST: Dear novamba - all of the issues you mentioned would take compassion for one another to solve. Do you think humans are ready to show some compassion for one another? If you do than compassion towards animals is part of it.

by realllllly February 25, 2010 11:02 PM EST

Geez, I did not know so many people were against PETA. I myself am not a member but am glad groups like PETA, Greenpeace and the like are out there protecting animals however radical. Sometimes it takes radical behavior to get through our thick skulls. I am one of the thick sculls by the way. Remember the Lorax was farily calm and look what happened to his environment. I just watched The Cove documentary a couple of weeks ago. Before watching this film I was totally unaware of what dolphins and orcas endure for the sake of our entertainment(mainly in the USA). And what they have to go through when they are corralled then caught and most of them slaughtered! If you have not seen the film, although it is hard to watch, you should. Another informative clip is on youtube. Just type in "Orca capturing in Taiji Japan". I cannot see how anyone would go to SeaWorld, or any other marine life park after watching The Cove or watching all the clips of tortured marine life for the sake of our entertainment posted online.

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by PeiGal1 February 26, 2010 5:18 AM EST: I will tell you a little something about PETA and HSUS. They are NOT for the animals, they are for making money for themselves. Do me a favor, and google "PETA KILLS ANIMALS". This is an article about an atrocity by these fanatics, and the ensuing lawsuite against them.


by desertpro February 26, 2010 5:57 AM EST: Hey Realllllly: maybe we should make a giant compassionate robot. By the way bet dollor to donuts your are in fact a PETA member. It is a group that uses propoganda and fakery at times. I remeber in Ventura county a few years ago PETA doing a demonstration at a Circus in Simi valley. They had a display set up that showed "Proof" that the Circus "abused their Elephants" Problem was the Circus owner came out with the local T.V. cameras rolling and pointed out the that Cicus had never had Elephants in their entire history. The lying PETA wack jobs took down their photos and left but one has to wonder how many times their "Proof" fooled gulible people like you.


by nmfaxman February 25, 2010 10:13 PM EST: Sea World has always been the forerunner for sea life conservation.
The animals they have doing "silly tricks" help bring in money to save and preserve sea life in all it's forms.

The best solution would be to let this whale free. As aggressive as it is it should survive in the wild. If it doesn't justice will be served. Killing it outright would serve no purpose.

Animals are a lot smarter than people give them credit for.
It was probably unhappy with it's life and has let it be know for years.; Reply to this comment


by Scimajor February 25, 2010 8:43 PM EST: Normally I'd never even think of agreeing with ANYTHING PETA says because they're extremists who use criminal tactics to make their point. In this case, however, I agree that this has to stop.

This has happened in the past and WILL happen again unless it stops right now. I realize that some of the whales would die if released now. Fine, keep those ones on exhibition only but stop the shows and never capture another one.

Nobody wants to see someone die. This is not entertainment and it's inhumane.; Reply to this comment


by taralester February 25, 2010 7:45 PM EST: I STRONGLY agree with PETA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Leave the whales alone. Save them and help them, but don't make trade their life for misery!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tara Lester; Reply to this comment

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