Tilikum, an orca of SeaWorld Orlando that had killed its trainer, has died

SeaWorld Orlando has confirmed that Tilikum, one of its orca, has died presumably from a persistent bacterial infection. It has killed a trainer in 2010 during one of its performances. It had grabbed its trainer in the course of a "Dine with Shamu" show and pulled her into the pool by her ponytail.
Tilikim was estimated to be 36 years old and had sired 14 calves in the nearly 25 years he was at SeaWorld Orlando.
This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 7 January 2017.

Tilikum was profiled in the documentary "Blackfish" - it helped to sway popular opinion against keeping killer whales in captivity at SeaWorld parks. Criticism over keeping orcas captive grew after the orca grabbed its trainer by her ponytail and dragged into the pool.
Tilikum was also involved in the deaths of two other people in the 1990s apart from its trainer in 2010.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha unable to attract foreign tourists

Alert Uber cab driver in California saves a 16-year-old girl from pimps

China to ban trade and processing of all domestic ivory by end 2017


Didi in jitters – keeps flying in and out of her city (satire)

Lord Shiva wants winter favorites, Durga raises her hands (satire)

Moody gets a call from Ronald Grump (satire)


Woman beheaded in Afghanistan for entering a city without her husband

Killer in Santa Claus costume kills 39 in New Year Eve party in Istanbul

Two suicide bombers kill at least 27 in Baghdad market


2016 - the year of biopics in Bollywood with cricketers ruling

Pop superstar George Michael (53) dies of suspected of heart failure

Carrie Fisher of Star Wars fame stops breathing on board a non-stop London-Los Angeles flight

$10-million ad campaign of SeaWorld to rebuild its battered image

#seaworldorlando #blackfish #PETA #themepark #killerwhales With severe criticism of its methods of working in its whale-shows, and drop in attendance in recent times, SeaWorld Entertainment plans to go in for a $10 million image-building campaign that is expected to take the edge off criticism of its whale shows and, simultaneously, reverse a two-year drop in attendance.
As per information, the number of visitors fell to 4.4 million visitors from 4.5 million a year earlier.
This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dared 24 March 2015.

Among the methods being considered are print ads and online videos that would showcase the veterinarians, researchers and others from the company's 1,500 animal-care experts. This is based on information furnished by the Orlando, Florida-based theme-park operator. These experts would undertake the task of explaining to the public that the company cares for its killer whales.
The ads would also, simultaneously, refute claims of animal-rights activists. PETA alleges that SeaWorld should not keep killer whales in captivity. In fact, PETA feels that whales in captivity have shorter lives as compared to those who live in the wild.
Moreover, the ad campaigns would also focus on other attractions of the park.
It may be recalled that in 2013, there was a documentary film "Blackfish" – it was about the death of a SeaWorld trainer. It had raised a number of issues about the care of orcas in captivity and their use in entertainment.

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub


Nine medical students go to Syria, their families try to bring them back

First Russian woman cosmonaut returns to Earth after six-month stay in ISS

European court terms obesity as a disability

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Sunshine means Vitamin D – good for health in measured dose