SeaWorld: Don't Release Whale Attack Video

(CBS/ AP)  SeaWorld and the family of a trainer slain by a killer whale want to prevent video of the attack from becoming public.

Dawn Brancheau died last month after being pulled into the water by the 12,000-pound orca.

SeaWorld's cameras recorded the death, and the tapes were voluntarily turned over to law enforcement.

Once the Orange County Sheriff's Office concludes its investigation, the material would become public under Florida law.

Brancheau's family said Monday through a spokesman that public airing of the killing would only worsen their grief, according to the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.

They could seek a court injunction. The family and SeaWorld have been consulting the lawyer who represented race driver Dale Earnhardt's widow in a successful court fight to keep his 2001 autopsy photos private.

Last week, officials released recordings of the 911 calls made after a Brancheau was pulled into the water by the whale.

Listen to the 911 calls

Investigators have said Brancheau died from multiple traumatic injuries and drowning. The 22-foot-long whale pulled Brancheau into the pool by her ponytail last week after a performance.

In police investigative reports released earlier, Brancheau's co-workers described the swiftness of the attack and the furious response that came after alarms sounded around the pool. Employees who were at other pools, behind computers or emptying coolers of fish rushed to the scene.

More coverage of the SeaWorld tragedy

Worker: "Whale Would Not Let Us Have Her"
SeaWorld Trainer Mourned in Chicago
Whale Attack Renews Captive Animal Debate
Tears Flow as Whale Shows Resume
SeaWorld Called Best Place for Tilikum
Whale, Trainer Play on Film Before Attack
SeaWorld Defends Serial Killer Whale
SeaWorld: The Show Must Go On
Ex-SeaWorld Official: Trainer Made Mistake
Dawn Brancheau's Last Moments Alive
SeaWorld Trainer Embraced Risks of Job

[barcar55]

People are so morbid today. What would be the benefit of watching someone die so tragically? This lady knew the risks and the history of this particular killer whale. She put herself at risk for even being in the the water with him. That shallow ledge she was on was not protection.

[MarceloEg]

The benefit would be to show that this was not an accident but rather a killing. Done by an animal that should not be in captivity. The benefit would be that people may decide not to go to Sea World, and that they may then stop using whales as circus acts.

[MarceloEg]

The benefit would be that people may stop going to SeaWorld to see animals performing circus acts.

[MarceloEg]

The video should be shown, so that people can actually see that the whale actively killed this person, contrary to the perception that the trainer drowned after being pulled into the water by her pony tail. Orcas are wild animals and should not be in a park. The usefulness of the parks as educational have long since diminished due to the large amount of video of the whales in their natural enviroment that is easily available on television.

[CompletelyFrustrated]

I support the family on this - there is no reason why the video needs to be made public.

I hope her family succeeds in the same way that Dale Earnhardt's family succeeded in preventing his autopsy photos and details from going public.

They served their purpose for the investigation, that's enough.

R.I.P. Let her family heal I am sure the dush rag media outlets can find something else to report on.

[thesevenveils]

The public deserves to see for themselves what happened. Seaworld so far has been digging very deep into their pockets to keep their exposure to wrong doing, to both the captive animals and their trainers. It is time to give the public the news,just as Seaworld officals saw, police saw, courts have and will. This accident is so far removed from the norm that the public demands to be given the same privileges of knowledge as those who wish to hide the facts.

The family members should agree with this and not let their lady die as a circus performer but as a statement of the treatment of caged aquatic mammals.

[AOCGUY]

thesevenveils - the public doesn't deserve squat. Unfortunately there was no doubt people in the audience that were videotaping the show as well and those films will eventually show up. Law enforcement and Se World need to review the films to determine what exactly happend. Other than that these films have NO value.

[pragmatist1]

This was the same thing done in 2066 when Steve Erwin, the "Crocodile Hunter" was killed by a stingray. There was video of this, too, and his family didn't want it to be released. I don't think there's any benefit to showing these types of video, but I do feel that all animals in captivity should be released. We've studied them enough and don't need them around any more. Let them go back to their natural habitat, even if that means they die off and become extinct.

[USMC-Mom]

I can not stand Sea World, I do not blame the trainer, or anyone else including the whale.
I have no need to see the footage. I only want to see the animals released back to the wild.

[JohnBoston07]

Although it will be very difficult for Dawns' family, friends and coworkers to bear, I feel that the video needs to be released. No one wants to remember her that way, including myself who was at the final Believe show on Feb 24. However, I have already seen first hand that SeaWorlds' intents are not all that honorable and I am sure that if they could have it their way, the initial reports that indicated that Dawn "slipped and fell and drowned" would have been the last word. I do not believe autopsy photos or the like warrant release because there really is nothing to be gained from that unless you are preparing a career in the M.E. field. The video which may show the initial attack and unfortunate savagery that followed, however sensationalized it will undoubtedly be, will go a long way in educating people about the true capabilities of these magnificent creatures. After all, isn't that exactly what Dawn and SeaWorld wants?

It will be difficult. It will be painful. Trust me. And my heart goes out to all of you. However, by attempting to block its' release, it will only heighten curiosity and speculation and prolong the inevitable... because it will get out some how. By releasing it in a controlled manner, they may be able to have input into how and when it gets released and limit the anguish the family will endure. Only then will Dawn be able to rest in peace.

[Funky-President]

Everyone is blameing the trainer and not sea world, Lets see for ourselves what really happened. I don't want to see someone die but the is a big discrepency between what witnesses are saying and what sea world is saying happened. I bet the family or laywers for them have seen it, there will be a lawsuit and it will be released then (as well)

[Funky-President]

Ps let the whale free -back to his pod! It already killed three humans and bit off a man's weiner- Freeing Willy. Please dind those autopsey photos if anyone does not believe me.

[jxknowles]

We didn't see Steve Irwin's death and everyone got along fine. I think it would be a mistake to show this footage. I hope Florida honors the family's request.

[ockham500]

America show some decency for a change and not air the pictures.

[timping1]

Too late! glub glub.

[mljohns00]

LOL. Yeah, it's on LiveLeak.