Latest Breaking News

Lodestar

(2,388 posts) Wed Mar 9, 2016, 11:21 AM Mar 2016

'Blackfish' Killer Whale Tilikum Dying From Lung Infection

Source: IBT

The health of Tilikum the killer whale at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, is failing and the infection he has could kill him, say officials at the marine performance theme park.

Tilikum, who is estimated to be 35 years old, has become increasingly lethargic in recent weeks, CNN reports with a bacterial infection in his lungs resistant to treatment.

"Despite the best care available, like all ageing animals, he battles chronic health issues that are taking a greater toll as he ages," SeaWorld said on its website. "The suspected bacteria is very resistant to treatment, and a cure for his illness has not been found.".

At 12,000 pounds (5440kg), Tilikum is the largest marine mammal living in a zoological park and is one of SeaWorld's most prolific breeders, having sired more than 20 calves.

The orca has lived at the theme park for 23 years, after he was moved from another park, Sealand of the Pacific, which closed in 1992. He was captured off the coast of Iceland.

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/seaworld-says-health-blackfish-killer-whale-tilikum-worsening-due-incurable-infection-1548357

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

'Blackfish' Killer Whale Tilikum Dying From Lung Infection (Original Post) Lodestar Mar 2016 OP

this is very sad news Merryland Mar 2016 #1

Let him spend his last days in the ocean Botany Mar 2016 #2

Close Sea World parks, everywhere. HeartoftheMidwest Mar 2016 #3

This whole situation is simply heartbreaking. hamsterjill Mar 2016 #4

Only about 35 years old... SeattleVet Mar 2016 #5

Not technically. ScreamingMeemie Mar 2016 #6

Merryland

(1,134 posts)

1. this is very sad news

Reply to Lodestar (Original post)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 11:27 AM

Mar 2016

I hope it moves people to demand closure of the sea world facilities.

Botany

(70,489 posts)

2. Let him spend his last days in the ocean

Reply to Lodestar (Original post)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 11:27 AM

Mar 2016

.... @ one time he could trave thousands of miles and he could dive more then 400' in depth
but he wound up spending his life in a tank about a city block in size.

HeartoftheMidwest

(309 posts)

3. Close Sea World parks, everywhere.

Reply to Lodestar (Original post)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 11:38 AM

Mar 2016

Or better yet, release all living creatures to the wild, or to sanctuaries, and reorient the park to
marine preservation and conservation.
EDUCATE the public about the appalling decline of our world's oceans, and the role we play, and then inspire new generations and concerned people to protect our oceans.

hamsterjill

(15,220 posts)

4. This whole situation is simply heartbreaking.

Reply to Lodestar (Original post)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 12:11 PM

Mar 2016

May his suffering end quickly.

I hate humans sometimes.

SeattleVet

(5,477 posts)

5. Only about 35 years old...

Reply to Lodestar (Original post)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 12:12 PM

Mar 2016

very young for an orca. They tend to die very young in captivity.

ScreamingMeemie

(68,918 posts)

6. Not technically.

Reply to SeattleVet (Reply #5)

Wed Mar 9, 2016, 12:48 PM

Mar 2016

Per an unbiased (neither pro- or anti- cap) site NOAA, the typical life span for a male orca in the wild is 30 years, although some have lived as long as 50-60.

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/killer-whale.html

I am anti-cap and anti-breeding, but I also think it's important to not continue some of the white lies of "Blackfish." The story is awful and sad enough without some of the twisting the film did.

I got hooked in by the film (like so many) and then did a whole lot of research. I am still anti-cap and anti-breeding, but I'm irritated as all hell at the film's director.

Reply to this discussion