SeaWorld: Trainers to work in water with whales

ORLANDO, Florida - SeaWorld officials say trainers will get back into the tanks with killer whales for the first time since one of their colleagues was dragged into the water and killed by one last year.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment spokeswoman Becca Bides said Wednesday that trainers at the company's three U.S. marine parks will begin limited water work with whales within the next few months.

The interactions will be restricted at first to small medical pools that can be lifted out of the water.

Dawn Brancheau SeaWorld Trainer Killed

Trainers have not been allowed in the water with whales since last February, when a six-ton orca named Tilikum killed Dawn Brancheau.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has since proposed not allowing trainers to have any physical contact with Tilikum.