Tilikum the Killer Whale has died.

Tilikum the Killer Whale has died.

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ChocolateFrog

Original Poster:

27,811 posts

179 months

Friday 6th January 2017
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As the title says Tilikum died today.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38531967

SeaWorld are at their old tricks stating he "lived a long and enriching life"

I guess died 50 years too soon in solitary confinement doesn't have the same ring to it.

Edited by ChocolateFrog on Friday 6th January 18:48

anonymous-user

60 months

Friday 6th January 2017
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Ironically the same week as this news was released: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/am...

Im not sure though if tilikum was especially short-lived, wiki says an average lifespan of 29 years for wild males, although they can go to 90.

As they say though-it's not the years in your life but the life in your years that count, and being in a comparatively tiny tank must have been horrible.

ChocolateFrog

Original Poster:

27,811 posts

179 months

Friday 6th January 2017
quotequote all
cookie118 said:
Ironically the same week as this news was released: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/am...

Im not sure though if tilikum was especially short-lived, wiki says an average lifespan of 29 years for wild males, although they can go to 90.

As they say though-it's not the years in your life but the life in your years that count, and being in a comparatively tiny tank must have been horrible.
I think average lifespan is more likely to be in the 70-80 year range but has been skewed by the study of orcas in captivity, typically less than 20 years.

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

170 months

Friday 6th January 2017
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How people can go and watch these magnificent creatures perform in a fish tank is beyond me. I remember seeing them take away a young one from its mother and she was so sad and upset. At least his horrible confinement is over but not a happy existence.

98elise

27,866 posts

167 months

Saturday 7th January 2017
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johnxjsc1985 said:
How people can go and watch these magnificent creatures perform in a fish tank is beyond me. I remember seeing them take away a young one from its mother and she was so sad and upset. At least his horrible confinement is over but not a happy existence.
Agreed. We've been to Florida many times and went to sea world only once. Never went back, and have not taken our kids. Its far more enjoyable to do a dolphin boat trip from the coast, and see similar in the wild.