1. Latest Update: Seaworld did the 12 noon show with the same Orca, but had no trainers in the water.

Posted at 11:13AM on Dec 1st 2006 by Diver Al - Scubaology

2. Cetaceans are beautiful, intelligent WILD animals, cooped up in a very small (relatively) tank. They're just plain bored... no wonder this sort of thing happens.

I understand that it is important to maintain an entertaining venue that educates the public to prevent fear born of ignorance, but... Why are we surprised when this kind of thing happens occasionally?

Posted at 2:19PM on Dec 1st 2006 by Lois Howski

3. It would be interesting to know if this was the whale acting out, or if the trainer was the unfortunate victim of rough play. The head trainer's comment that the whale had exhibited 'undesirable behavior' does sound like the whale was perhaps a bit miffed. Bad batch of fishy treats? Glad to hear both trainer and whale are alright.

Posted at 2:19PM on Dec 1st 2006 by CharlieK

4. I agree with Lois, it's a wonder that this doesn't happen much more often. These animals are natural hunters, we're essentially dangling appetizers in front of them all day, asking them to play (nicely) with their food without eating it.

Posted at 4:18PM on Dec 1st 2006 by Calvin Tang

5. They're called KILLER whales for a reason, not LOVER whales! People need to stop messing with nature. It's funny how people try to analyze what the whale was thinking, does it really matter?

Posted at 11:16AM on Dec 2nd 2006 by LTID

6. "QUESTION???":
what I would sincerely like to know, is;
why, pray tell, must we use them for entertainment? WHY CAN'T WE APPRECIATE THEM, WITHOUT "EXPLOITING THEM?"
Who gave "humans" the right to "USE" these wonderful creatures, (from God), for "OUR OWN SELFISH ENTERTAINMENT???"
WHERE ,AND WHAT, IS THE MATTER WITH "ALL-OF-US" PERHAPS THE OLD MOVIE, "PLANET-OF-THE-APES" DIDN'T SEND ANY MESSAGES.
Thanks, for allowing my comments,
Lacey

Posted at 12:00PM on Dec 2nd 2006 by NANCY WOODWARD

7. Places like Sea World are, in my opinion, necessary as they allow the general public to fall in love with certain animals and thus by proxy changes public opinion to help protect them.

When you see an Orca, most people think of Shamu, or Free Willy and wouldn't think of killing them, in fact the opposite as their children might have stuffed animals of them at home. Had people not have close interactions with these animals they would be ambivalent to their persecution and/or allow them to be harmed. As a result of the work that Sea World and other have done, Orca's are a protected species.

Also, these "zoos" also are some of the last places that certain may exist in numbers to repopulate a declining wild population and are important research centers.

To an extent these captive animals, most now born in captivity, are taking one for the team.

Posted at 2:46PM on Dec 2nd 2006 by Bill Reals

8. Please forgive me, but I don't feel bad for the trainer at all. He's the one who chose to work with Kasatka. I'm a big fan of orcas, and I'd much rather see them in the wild. Poor Kasatka was taken from the wild, brootally ripped from her family. The fact that she's done this more then once is saying something. I also understand that some orcas have know choice but to remaine in captivity because they were born there, but they sure as heck don't deserve to do tricks for our entertainment. In a way, I think Kasatka was sending us all a message. As human beings, we need to start treating other creatures on this earth with respect. One of the reasons orcas are endangered, is because we captured a large population of them. In this dayin age, there are many other ways to educate the public about wildlife, instead of stressing them out with show business and cramped corders.
Thanks for letting me post my comment.

Posted at 12:46AM on Jan 15th 2007 by Kim Pomatto