SeaWorld's orca policy regarding ponytails
The unfortunate accident last week involving Dawn Brancheau's death has prompted new loose hair policies while trainers water-work in the orca's tank.
After the oraca Tilikum killed the trainer last week, witnesses spelled out with dramatic detail the events leading up to the tragedy. The report released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office indicated that Titikan first grabbed Brancheau by her pony tail.
Although dangling or free-flowing hair is strictly forbidden by SeaWorld's policies, trainers were still allowed to maintain hair in a ponytails. In a controversial report release in 2006.
This was confirmed by California investigators report regarding SeaWorld's free-flowing hair language after the incident surrounding Kenneth Peters who was dragged by the the foot repeatedly and towed underwater by an orca in 2006.
The 6-ton killer whale Tilikum that apparently grabbed the trainer by the ponytail, did not have experience working with trainers in the water. Typically orca's are trained not to grab hair as a rule but Tilikum did not have this training. The new policy will undoubtedly include that ponytails must be maintained in a bun in order to avoid any distractions to the orca.
Until SeaWorld re-evaluates all of the safety policies, trainers will not be allowed to enter the water with these animals. Initial reports that angering SeaWorld warned that swimming with orcas can be dangerous according to Cal. Osha.
Activists jumped on the band-wagon indicating that these reports strengthen their views that killer whales, or rightfully known as "whale killers", are too dangerous in captivity.
But the sad account from witnesses was detailed again Monday that Brancheau was face-to-vace with Tilikum when in a moments time grabbed her ponytail. Witnesses view the drama from both the Shamu Dinner Show and below in the lower-level viewing room.
Unaccustom to that type of bonding, the whale then pulled her down in the tank while she struggled to free herself. Not being able to catch her breath, she drowned as the whale circled the tank with the trainer in his mouth.
After what may have seemed like 10 minutes, workers finally hauled the orca out of the water using nets ending the ordeal, but unfortunatley it was too late.
After the oraca Tilikum killed the trainer last week, witnesses spelled out with dramatic detail the events leading up to the tragedy. The report released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office indicated that Titikan first grabbed Brancheau by her pony tail.
Although dangling or free-flowing hair is strictly forbidden by SeaWorld's policies, trainers were still allowed to maintain hair in a ponytails. In a controversial report release in 2006.
This was confirmed by California investigators report regarding SeaWorld's free-flowing hair language after the incident surrounding Kenneth Peters who was dragged by the the foot repeatedly and towed underwater by an orca in 2006.
The 6-ton killer whale Tilikum that apparently grabbed the trainer by the ponytail, did not have experience working with trainers in the water. Typically orca's are trained not to grab hair as a rule but Tilikum did not have this training. The new policy will undoubtedly include that ponytails must be maintained in a bun in order to avoid any distractions to the orca.
Until SeaWorld re-evaluates all of the safety policies, trainers will not be allowed to enter the water with these animals. Initial reports that angering SeaWorld warned that swimming with orcas can be dangerous according to Cal. Osha.
Activists jumped on the band-wagon indicating that these reports strengthen their views that killer whales, or rightfully known as "whale killers", are too dangerous in captivity.
But the sad account from witnesses was detailed again Monday that Brancheau was face-to-vace with Tilikum when in a moments time grabbed her ponytail. Witnesses view the drama from both the Shamu Dinner Show and below in the lower-level viewing room.
Unaccustom to that type of bonding, the whale then pulled her down in the tank while she struggled to free herself. Not being able to catch her breath, she drowned as the whale circled the tank with the trainer in his mouth.
After what may have seemed like 10 minutes, workers finally hauled the orca out of the water using nets ending the ordeal, but unfortunatley it was too late.
posted by michael at
7:44 AM
