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Subscribe to RSSNewly-released video, which was shot in 2006 and now being used as evidence in an investigation, shows a female orca whale dragging a trainer deep underwater as he struggles for life. The trainer survived. TODAY's Hoda Kotb reports.
A video revealing an incident between a killer whale and its trainerat SeaWorld was released Tuesday during the SeaWorld v US Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis trial.
In November 2006, trainer Kenneth Peters, 39, was bitten and held underwater several timesby a 7,000-pound killer whale during a show at SeaWorld's San Diego park. The 28-year old female named Kasatka bit Peters' feet and took him to the bottom of the pool for about a minute. Peters suffered a broken foot and puncture wounds in the attack.
For more, visit NBCSanDiego.com
The video shows Peters nearly drowning twice as the whale dragged him down to the bottom of the tank by his foot.
The 17-foot-long orca had attacked Peters two other times, in 1993 and 1999.
The video was obtained with a Freedom of Information Act by David Kirby, the author of the recently released book “Near Death at SeaWorld.”
In February 2010, a trainer at Orlando's SeaWorld park was killed after the whale drowned her when she slipped and fell in its tank.
SeaWorld San Diego released the following statement:
"This incident was well documented and thoroughly covered by the news media in 2006. This video clearly shows the trainer’s remarkable composure and the skillful execution of an emergency response plan, both of which helped result in a successful outcome with minor injuries. It should be noted that CalOSHA did not issue any citations to SeaWorld as a result of this incident. SeaWorld’s trainer returned to work shortly after this incident and remains a member of the team at Shamu Stadium to this day."
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I did some research in a college course in regards to this topic and though I have been an advocate to freeing these mammals from places such as the zoo or Seaworld, there is also another point to be made before we close every aquarium in the name of animal rights.
When I thought about it, if all kids get to see is pictures of these mammals in a book, the likelihood that they would be so touched as to dedicate their lives to saving them in the wild is slim. There is much to be experienced when you can see their beauty and intelligence right in front of you versus in a book. It has the potential to spark interest in kids that can later become marine biologists, spending their lives to research, rescue, rehab and release injured ones back into the ocean.
I went to a local aquarium that does this with various kinds of dolphins in order to learn about volunteering on their rescue team. The main marine biologist there discussed how there are so many other types of dolphins out there, but they know very little about them because more time has been spent focusing on Bottlenosed dolphins. So when they are trying to fix these other types so that they can release them back home, it's an educated hit or miss.
I bring this up because if we didn't have the opportunity to study dolphins or Orcas, and the interest wasn't there for future generations, then the same would happen when they needed to be rescued and saved-in order to be sent back home. An educated hit or miss isn't something to be proud of, but in some instances, it's all there is. Thankfully, these large, amazing mammals have been studied so we understand more of their biological makeup in order to rescue them and/or to not hurt them in the first place.
Zoos and aquariums are almost a necessary evil. It pains me to read negative stories on how the animals are mistreated or seeing the small spaces that they live in (compared to the vast ocean), but there is also that other side to that that should be considered as well. And, I've looked into a handful of these facilities and many of them really do try their best to help the animals cope as best as they can with the living spaces. There are all kinds of learning tools they use so the animal understands how to act like an animal versus a large pet.
Just some thoughts..
In the vast ocean where they have miles and miles to swim, they just die tired. Euphorians are as neccessary as tits on a boar pig! Nature put them there for a reason?
The bottom line is these animals swim over 500 miles per day in the wild, I would be pretty pissed if some stupid trainer wanted me to do some dam tricks. Leave the animals were they belong find some other form of amusement.
They swim 500 miles a day to avoid the commercial fishing vessels. What a travesty of the natural order. You can help by going on a diet of corn bread and branch water. You'll lose 50lbs of greasy yellow blubber too.
It trulyl is sad that these mammals are kept in captivity for human entertainment. Even being a hunter and a fisherman I look at this as sad. They are serving worse than a death sentence being kept isolated and in such a confined area. What would you do to your jailer given the chance after being kept in isolation for so many years without freedom. It is that simple.
The bottom line is the animals swim over 500 miles per day in the ocean, I would be pissed to if some stupid trainer wanted me to do some dam tricks. Let these animals go free, find some other form of amusement for yourself.
Working on your GED, Huh? It's difficult; the hardest thing you've ever done. But remember how hard it was for the world's best scientist's to complete the Manhattan project and create a new liberal future for the world. The animals are watching you. Make them proud!
I fell sorry for the Orca..... :-(
To all the respondents and commentators out there that are chastising
this brave man because he was doing his job.
You are saying that he should not have been in the tank with that mammal.
I have to assume none of you drive a car? Is that a correct statement? Statistics show that
one-hundred-fifty people die each day in automobile related accidents. Last
time I checked I don’t believe that many people have died in ten years in aquarium
related deaths. Just something for you all to think about the next time you are seated behind the wheel of your
automobile.
PS Oh yea...watch out for those on-coming whales in the passing lane, they will get you every time. LOL
I feel sorry for the Orca. :-(
Last time I check, Ocra's and Dolphines weren't fish, smh lol
...not fish? Don't tell Obama's Chef!
What do expect a wild Orca to do?
It happened twice before?
DING !
So the IDIOT gets back in the water again some years later and WOW IT HAPPENS FOR THE 3rd TIME!
The next time I hope the WILD ORCA enjoys it's meal!
To all the respondents and commentators out there that are chastising
this brave man because he was doing his job.
You are saying that he should not have been in the tank with that mammal.
I have to assume none of you drive a car? Is that a correct statement? Statistics show that
one-hundred-fifty people die each day in automobile related accidents. Last
time I checked I don’t believe that many people have died in ten years in aquarium
related deaths. Just something for you all to think about the next time you are seated behind the wheel of your
automobile.
PS Oh yea...watch out for those on-coming whales in the passing lane, they will get you every time. LOL
whales DO NOT belong in little tanks to entertain humans. These trainers get what they deserve and places like Sea World should be shut down and the mammals set free.
Projecting again? After you serve your time, they'll let you out but they won't set you free. You'll get an ankle bracelet and a trainer. Sorry.
OK...Look...These Orcas are predators whose training is based on enhancing or rather exploiting the behaviors that naturally occur in the wild. These behaviors are instinctual and when they are in captivity, they are "trained" to do these behaviors on command. Because the instincts can sometimes take over, things APPEAR to get out of hand...but this is not the case. The Orca in this case, grabbed him to essentially "play" with him. The trainers spend countless hours bonding with the Orcas. They give them chunks of ice and jello...yes jello. They love it. An Orca does not realize that a human can not breath under the water like it can and since they don't have hands, they use their mouth to grab things. Its that simple. If that Orca wanted to hurt that trainer, he wouldve killed him in a heartbeat. They are very cunning, cruel animals in the wild. There is a reason they are called "Killer Whales"...something to think about.
You are so smart that you got it all figured out huh. They may like the food,but why aren't you smart enough to figure out that a pool is NOT their natural environment and YES,it DOES affect them.Wake up lady! It happens to circus elephants,chimpanzees,dogs.Neglect and confinement is evident is animal behavior and all the "explaining away" and excuses to cover up those facts so they can make their money and hide behind their good little causes to SAVE the poor animals from extinction is nothing but HOGWASH!~
Good work dracula. Don't let them confine the creatures of the wild. Oh, sunrise is coming. You'd better head back to your coffin in the cellar.
Lets analyze .. Once in 1993, Once in 1999, again in 2006 ....every seven years . its time again .. go jump in the tank stupid ...
The STUPIDITY of man believes that they have to SAVE animals when they beach themselves,or feel the need to imprison them for hours and days and years in a tank to study them.How arrogant of man.Animals act out for reasons and men like this idiot "trainer" are being taught a warning by animals that they are not happy being in a damn pool! Nature has its own rules,good and bad and is NOT to be altered,controlled,or messed with by stupid humans.THAT is the problem.
Right on dracubart. For a HS dropout U R wise. You noticed the gallons and gallons of salty tears filling the damn pool to overflowing because these animals are not happy. Your Mama didn't raise no fool!
just think if we didnt have these whales in captivity this person would still be alive.
however, i would pay to see a whale drown someone
I was at a SeaWorld (Tampa, Florida) dolphin/killer whale show in Dec 2011 as was glad to see that the trainers were not trying to ride the killer whale or handle it during the show. How is using the whales for show any different than using the bears for silly dancing tricks like used to be done in the US and still done in places in Asia today?
Dance with a bear once and you'll never go back to old way.
I think the orcas, from working so closely with people, are unable to see the lines between themselves and humans, so think that a human can withstand the same "play" as an orca. They have no concept of "superior beings", and with their size/skills, really don't need to, just like big dogs with an enhanced prey drive-they think whatever they come into contact with can take the same abuse as a fellow creature. We are the only ones who see ourselves as superior and therefore, untouchable. To a big dog or an orca, we are the same as they are, and they probably can't understand why we get upset when they are just playing, even though their "play" can have deadly consequences for us "lesser" beings.
Right, Troll, and then comes mating season!
Trainers need cattle prods.
FYI; This Orca is a FEMALE and she had just given BIRTH to her CALF. This Orca was seperated from her baby to "perform her show". The BABY WAS CALLING FOR IT'S MOTHER AT THE TIME OF THE "ATTACK"! Now if you have a problem understanding exactly WHY this is wrong then you need help. I would expect that any woman reading these post would understand why Ms Orca attacked the "human" who was keeping her baby captive and keeping her away from her distressed calf.
It's TIME for Sea World to FREE THE ORCA'S!!! The only thing Sea World is teaching children is that it's OK to use animals for making fistfuls of money and claiming it's for "amusement and a learning experience" It should be made illegal to put this intellegent mammals in prison for life, breed for profit and use as Sea World choses.
FREE THE ORCAS NOW!
WOW....you don't have a clue what a cattle prod is do you?
This is a perfect example of why animals should be left in their nature habitat. THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO TRICKS FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT. this is animal cruelty.
BOYCOTT SEAWORLD!
Thanks Jaime. But why do sharks come into our public beaches and try to eat us? You seem to be into their heads. Maybe you should become a shark whisperer and teach them beach etiquette.
It released him after "he calmed it"????? A pat on the head of a killer whale...BULL@!$%#! The whale released him because "IT" chose to....stupid people.
maybe she was having a bad day or wanting to be with her child as stayed from what i heard on tv
you cannot force them to perfom when they don't want too
people need to understand that
they are not circus acts at their disposal
i still love seaworld and i wish i could go back
plus i would not like to be held in captivity either-must respect animals,mammals and whales too plus other sealife-must respect
Once again the almighty coorporate dollar wins over human life. Money is root of all eval is more than just a saying. It is getting worse because large coorporations are running the country with their "person" status and contabutions to elections. They are buying our country. Or maybe selling it out.
this is a life lesson for all thes people who think they can keep wild animals in cages or tanks glad to see the whale let him know who the more supreme being is
Whaleworshipper you should aoid the last chapter of Moby Dick. It will destroy your faith.
Stupid is as stupid does
i would like to see the tables turned for a change let man be in a cage or tank and see how he would like it id bet not
Get a job and you'll see what it's like gigiisking. Oh, but nobody in Southern Europe has a real job. Sorry!
i have a job you knob get a real life you piece of garbage
Nobama.