Should whales and other wild animals be subjected to a life of confinement, and be trained to perform silly tricks and games for human consumption?

Dawn Brancheau, one of the park's most experienced trainers became Tilikum's latest victim. It was not clear if Bracheau drowned, or died from the thrashing after Tilikum grabbed her by her ponytail.

Despite two other deadly attacks Killer, Whale Tilikum is now being allowed to remain in the park.

Chuck Tompkins, head of animal training at all Sea World parks, said Brancheau was ‘rubbing’ Tilikum after a noontime show when the 12,000-pound whale grabbed her and pulled her in.

Tilikum snatched Bracheau off a poolside platform in its jaws, thrashed her around like a rag doll, and then pulled her underwater killing her in front of a horrified audience.

According to her sister, Brancheau wouldn't want anything done to the whale that killed her because she loved the animals “like children.”

Despite all the training money can buy, and as many “tummy rub-a-dubs” the trainers offer, these animals still remain WILD and can kill you at any time. Wild animals are notorious for being unpredictable and Tilikum has proven that fact three different times.

Bracheau believed Tilikum was “trained.” She felt comfortable enough to be ‘rubbing’ the whale. How many more trainers have to die before they get the message?

Did Sea World place profits above the safety of its employees and the public?

Now what does Sea World intend to do with Tilikum? Are they going continue to keep that “killer” working with trainers and using it as a “sperm bank” to impregnate female whales?

The horrible reality is that Sea World cannot set Tilikum free: simply put, it would not survive in the wild. Tilikum has been kept in captivity for 25 years, and its chances of surviving in the wild are nominal.

I would be angry, too, if I found myself in a water-tank for years and would lash out, eventually.

So what’s next? Put down the “Killer Whale”? How many animal lovers would agree with that option?

I suspect the outcry would be massive (unlike when a child is kidnapped and murdered) if Sea World would to announce they are going to put Tilikum to death. I can imagine the protests by millions to save the Killer Whale’s life.

The idea that animals can be treated as if they are humans gets crazier and sicker with time. All one has to do is see what’s happened to dogs… no longer a pet, but now a “family member.” Almost human?

The twisted fact is: a great majority of people would choose to save Tilikum. These people would argue that Tilikum could be rehabilitated. This is the same argument that is put forward to defend dogs and their many attacks/killings. Despite hundred of thousands of attacks by dogs, over-the-top animal lovers will still try to convince us all pit bulls are very loveable and sweet, and the victim must have done something to provoke the attack. “Don’t put the dog to sleep!” they insist, even if a child or two has been mauled or killed by it.

Until the same dog’s violent instincts surface once again, and one of us becomes yet another victim.

“Brancheau wouldn't want anything done to the whale that killed her because she loved the animals like children”, said her sister.

Perhaps if Brancheau treated it instead as what it is, a killer whale, and exercised appropriate extreme precaution, or refused to work or be around Tilikum due to its demonstrated serial killer history, and not pretended it was a “like a child,” she would be alive today. Brancheau never should have gotten so close to Tilikum that it could attack her, not even to rub his belly.

Eldon Skaggs, 72, a spectator, saw Brancheau on platform massaging the whale. He said the interaction appeared leisurely and informal. According to Skaggs the whale "pulled her under and started swimming around with her." Skaggs said an alarm sounded and staff rushed the audience out of the stadium as workers scrambled around with nets.

Skaggs said he heard that during an earlier show the whale was not responding to directions. Others who attended the earlier show said the whale was behaving like an ‘ornery child.’

The idea that someone would describe the behavior of an out of control and menacing killer Whale as an “ornery child” is another example of once again attempting to “humanize” a wild animal.

Society cannot continue to place so-called animal rights before human rights and human welfare. It is immoral and disgusting to treat animals of any kind as if they were humans.

Sea World knowingly jeopardized the health and safety of their employees and park goers. They were aware they had a KILLER in their Park. They knew Tilikum had killed before, yet management allowed KILLER WHALE Tilikum to have contact with Park trainers.

Tilikum practically grew up in a tank of water at Sea World. According to experts, it will not survive in the wild. Despite that fact, and no matter how much training, games, and fish Whales get tossed to, at the end of the show, killer whales are killers!

I look forward to the end of Tilikum; I do not want to hear about another dead or damaged victim. In fact, Sea World and other like parks should stop using wild animals for human beings’ decadent consumption as clownish stage performers.