When a killer whale wants the day off.. Give it the day off..or else!

[SoCalDem]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/29/killer.whale/index.html Park's killer whale almost lives up to name
POSTED: 12:34 a.m. EST, November 30, 2006


SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- A killer whale at the Sea World theme park grabbed a trainer by the foot and held him underwater during a show Wednesday.

The trainer escaped and was in good condition later, park officials said. Kasatka, a 30-year-old killer whale who is a veteran of many performances, grabbed the trainer and pulled him underwater, said Mike Scarpuzzi, head trainer at Sea World.

Other trainers were able to persuade the whale to surface, allowing the trainer a breath of air, but enacted emergency procedures in place for such instances, Scarpuzzi said. The other trainers got a net in the pool, and the trainer, who also has years of experience, was able to calm the whale, swim to the other side of the net and get out of the pool, he said. (Watch paramedics work poolside Video)

The San Diego Fire Department received a call that the 33-year-old whale trainer was pinned at the bottom of the tank by a whale, said dispatcher Julianna Humphries. The caller said other trainers were attempting to retrieve the man. Scarpuzzi said there have been no previous serious incidents with Kasatka.

"She has not done this particular unwanted behavior to this extent," Scarpuzzi said. "She has displayed unwanted behavior to some extent. ... There are times like this. They are killer whales. She did choose to demonstrate her feelings in a way that was unfortunate."

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[LeftyMom]

1. Atta girl.

The people who steal such social, intelligent animals from their family and keep them in intensely confining captivity and solitude are deserving of that and worse. Scare enough of your captors and they'll send you back to the ocean, sweetie. You're only an exploitable resource when you cooperate.