What happened to trainer Dawn Brancheau?

In February 2010, Dawn Brancheau, one of SeaWorld's most seasoned trainers, was savagely killed by the captive orca Tilikum during a routine training session.

How many people has Tilikum the orca killed?

Tilikum was involved in 3 of the 4 known fatalities involving killer whales in captivity, including the deaths of a trainer at Sealand in 1991 and a man who snuck into SeaWorld in 1999.

Why did Tilikum become so violent?

Experts claim Tilikum's capture and years of captivity had rendered the intelligent, sensitive orca "psychotic," contributing to his violent behavior.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Captive Orca Tilikum's Violent Past Exposed: Three Fatalities Linked to Whale

Captive Orca Tilikum's Violent Past Exposed: Three Fatalities Linked to Whale

18 Oct

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Summary

Seasoned trainer Dawn Brancheau killed by captive orca Tilikum in 2010
Tilikum had history of violence, involved in 3 of 4 known orca-related deaths in captivity
Experts claim Tilikum was "psychotic" due to captivity, knew what he was doing

Captive Orca Tilikum's Violent Past Exposed: Three Fatalities Linked to Whale

In October 2025, a tragic incident at SeaWorld resurfaced the dark history of the captive orca Tilikum. In February 2010, one of SeaWorld's most seasoned trainers, Dawn Brancheau, was savagely killed by Tilikum, the largest bull orca in captivity. Onlookers watched in horror as the 12,500-pound whale grabbed Brancheau's ponytail and pulled her into the tank during a routine training session.

Tilikum's violent past had long been a concern for experts. He had been implicated in the 1991 death of a 20-year-old trainer at Sealand in Canada before being sold to SeaWorld. In 1999, a 27-year-old man was also found dead on Tilikum's back, covered in bite marks. Out of the four known fatalities involving killer whales in captivity, Tilikum had been involved in three.