WDCS is horrified to learn of the death of a trainer at Sea Worlds park in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday, in an incident with the orca Tilikum. Our condolences are with the trainers family and colleagues, following this shocking incident.

There are currently thought to be 42 orcas held in captivity in dolphinaria around the world. Half of these are held at three Sea World parks in the USA. Since 1961, 136 orcas have been taken into captivity from the wild. 123 of these unfortunate animals are now dead, surviving only an average of four years in captivity. This situation contrasts dramatically with orca survival in the wild, where individuals can live for up to 90 years.

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