Tilikum, the SeaWorld Orlando orca who killed trainers in 2010, 1997 and 1991, has died, the theme park announced on Friday.
The SeaWorld Cares organization shared the devastating news in an announcement posted on their website: “The SeaWorld family is deeply saddened to announce that one of its most well-known orcas, Tilikum, has passed away,” the statement read. “Tilikum passed away early this morning, Jan. 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care.”
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While Tilikum’s official cause of death has yet to be determined, SeaWorld is expected to share the details after completing a surgical examination. The park, however, did shed light on the orca’s health issues leading up to his death. “The SeaWorld veterinarians were treating a persistent and complicated bacterial lung infection. The suspected bacteria is part of a group of bacteria that is found in water and soil both in wild habitats and zoological settings,” the announcement continued.
The killer whale was best known for inspiring the shocking documentary “Blackfish”, which exposed SeaWorld’s treatment of Tilikum and other whales who call the theme park home. The film led to the condemnation of killer whale shows around the world.
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In captivity for over 30 years, Tilikum was thought to be around 36-years-old, which is considered “to be near the high end of the average life expectancy for male killer whales according to an independent scientific review.”
PETA tweeted about Tilikum’s death on Friday, saying SeaWorld’s “announcement that it is ending its orca-breeding program came too late for Tilikum.”
