Tilikum: SeaWorld killer whale from Blackfish documentary dies…

Tilikum is a special and transformative killer whale. He was netted off Iceland in 1983, at the age of two, and has lived in captivity for almost 33 years now, for the past 24 years at SeaWorld’s Orlando, Florida park. His life has changed how we view SeaWorld and the marine park industry, and changed our moral calculus regarding the confinement and display of intelligent, free-ranging species.

The orca came to international attention after killing trainer Dawn Brancheau in front of horrified spectators at the Orlando, Florida, amusement park in 2010.

SeaWorld said Tilikum’s life would be “inextricably connected with the loss of our dear friend” who dragged the 40-year-old her by her ponytail into the water at the end of a show.

Having battled a bacterial lung infection since March, he passed away in the early hours of January 6, “surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians”

SeaWorld said in a statement.