AS IT IS 2016-03-12 SeaWorld Reports a Very Sick ‘Blackfish’

AS IT IS 2016-03-12 SeaWorld Reports a Very Sick ‘Blackfish’

A captive whale in a water park in Florida that killed his trainer six years ago is reportedly in grave health.

The killer¹ whale, Tilikum, appears to have a serious bacterial² infection.

That information comes from SeaWorld, which has housed the 12,000-pound (5,443 kilogram) whale at its Orlando, Florida, park for the past 23 years.

In 2010, the whale drew international attention when he killed his trainer, Dawn Brancheau, age 40.

The whale has been linked to two other deaths. In 1991, at a Canadian water park, Tilikum was one of three killer whales who dragged trainer Keltie Byrne, 21, under water, according to news reports. In 1999, at SeaWorld Orlando, Daniel Dukes, 27, was found dead over Tilikum’s back. Police said he snuck into the whale tank, news reports said.

On Tilikum’s current condition, this is what SeaWorld said: “Our teams are treating him with care and medication for what we believe is a bacterial infection in his lungs. However, the suspected bacteria is very resistant³ to treatment and a cure for his illness has not been found.”

The statement added, “Tilikum’s behavior has become increasingly lethargic⁴.”

SeaWorld also released a video that included a statement from SeaWorld veterinarian Scott Gearhart.

“I wish I could say I was tremendously optimistic about Tilikum and his future, but he has a disease which is chronic⁵ and progressive and at some point might cause his death," Gearhart said.

The SeaWorld blog estimates Tilikum is 35 years old. That is near “the high end” of the average life expectancy⁶ for male killer whales, SeaWorld said.

After the death of Tilikum’s trainer six years ago, SeaWorld and Tilikum were subject of a 2013 documentary, “Blackfish.” It featured interviews with former trainers and whale experts who said some killer whales become depressed⁷ and aggressive in captivity⁸.

SeaWorld has been under pressure to stop whale shows from groups such as People for the Ethical⁹ Treatment of Animals (PETA). The male killer whales are also known as orcas.

SeaWorld announced last year that, starting in 2017, whale shows in its San Diego, California, park will focus “more on the species' natural behaviors.” It said the new shows will give information about how people can “make a difference for orcas in the wild.”

SeaWorld did not say what changes, if any, would be made for whale shows in its other two parks, in Orlando and San Antonio, Texas.

PETA said SeaWorld immediately should move its whales to sanctuaries¹⁰, “where they could enjoy a more natural life.”

Words in This Story

medication -- n. a substance used in treating disease or relieving pain

lungs – n. organs that people and animals use to breathe air

resistant – adj. not affected¹¹ or harmed by something

lethargic – adj. feeling a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things

veterinarian – n. a person who is trained to give medical care and treatment to animals

tremendously – adv. very large or great

optimistic – adj. expecting good things to happen

chronic – adj. continuing or occurring again and again for a long time

expectancy – n. a feeling that something is going to happen

species – n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

sanctuary¹² – n. a place where animals can be protected in a natural setting

1 killer   

n.杀人者，杀人犯，杀手，屠杀者

参考例句：

• Heart attacks have become Britain's No.1 killer disease.心脏病已成为英国的头号致命疾病。
• The bulk of the evidence points to him as her killer.大量证据证明是他杀死她的。

2 bacterial   

a.细菌的

参考例句：

• Bacterial reproduction is accelerated in weightless space. 在失重的空间，细菌繁殖加快了。
• Brain lesions can be caused by bacterial infections. 大脑损伤可能由细菌感染引起。

3 resistant   

adj.(to)抵抗的，有抵抗力的

参考例句：

• Many pests are resistant to the insecticide.许多害虫对这种杀虫剂有抵抗力。
• They imposed their government by force on the resistant population.他们以武力把自己的统治强加在持反抗态度的人民头上。

4 lethargic   

adj.昏睡的，懒洋洋的

参考例句：

• He felt too miserable and lethargic to get dressed.他心情低落无精打采，完全没有心思穿衣整装。
• The hot weather made me feel lethargic.炎热的天气使我昏昏欲睡。

5 chronic   

adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的

参考例句：

• Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。
• Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。

6 expectancy   

n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额

参考例句：

• Japanese people have a very high life expectancy.日本人的平均寿命非常长。
• The atomosphere of tense expectancy sobered everyone.这种期望的紧张气氛使每个人变得严肃起来。

7 depressed   

adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的

参考例句：

• When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
• His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。

8 captivity   

n.囚禁；被俘；束缚

参考例句：

• A zoo is a place where live animals are kept in captivity for the public to see.动物园是圈养动物以供公众观看的场所。
• He was held in captivity for three years.他被囚禁叁年。

9 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

10 sanctuaries   

n.避难所( sanctuary的名词复数 )；庇护；圣所；庇护所

参考例句：

• The designation of special marine reserves and marine sanctuaries shall be subject to the State Council for approval. 海洋特别保护区、海上自然保护区的确定，须经国务院批准。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After 1965 he acquiesced when they established sanctuaries on that soil. 1965年以后，他默认了他们在那块土地上建立庇护所。 来自辞典例句

11 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

12 sanctuary   

n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区

参考例句：

• There was a sanctuary of political refugees behind the hospital.医院后面有一个政治难民的避难所。
• Most countries refuse to give sanctuary to people who hijack aeroplanes.大多数国家拒绝对劫机者提供庇护。