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Tilikum, the famous, beloved and controversial whale who lived most of his life at SeaWorld in San Diego, died on Friday after a year-long battle with a bacterial infection. He was presumed to be 36 years old. The infection affected the animal’s lungs and had been around since last spring, during which time SeaWorld veterinarian sadly announced that the illness was “chronic and progressive.” Tilikum was born in Iceland and captured in 1983. He was held in a concrete tank for a year, prior to being sent to British Columbia, Canada, to perform at Sealand of the Pacific. Over the years, Tilikum became a source of scandal; both due to animal rights organizations taking issue with how animals are held in captivity in this kind of manner… … and also because he was actually linked to three separate deaths. In 1991, 20-year-old Keltie Byrne slipped into a tank at an amusement park called Sealand, got thrashed around by whales (including Tilikum) and drowned. In 1999, 27-year-old Daniel Dukes snuck into SearWorld (after Tilikum was transferred there) and was found drowned and draped across Tilikum’s back. In 2010, trainer Dawn Brancheau leaned over Tilikum’s tank, was grabbed in his jaws by her hair and drowned as a result of the subsequent thrashing. Nevertheless, following a year hiatus, Tilikum’s shows continued. Fans kept showing up to see him perform. In 2013, the documentary “Blackfish” centered significantly around Tilikum and the deaths that surrounded his existence in captivity. The film portrayed the whale as a victim; one researcher said his circumstance turned him “psychotic.” In 2014, SeaWorld announced that it would the stop the practice of captive whale breeding, announcing that Tilikum’s “will be the last generation of orcas at SeaWorld. He is believed to have sired 21 children. Despite these controversies, those at SeaWorld held Tilikum in high esteem. Follow the link in the above Tweet and you can read the following tribute, penned in the wake of his death: The SeaWorld family is deeply saddened to announce that one of its most well-known orcas, Tilikum, has passed away. Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care. Like all older animals, Tilikum had faced some very serious health issues. While the official cause of death will not be determined until the necropsy is completed, the SeaWorld veterinarians were treating a persistent and complicated bacterial lung infection. The suspected bacteria is part of a group of bacteria that is found in water and soil both in wild habitats and zoological settings. Tilikum’s veterinarians and caretakers delivered various treatment regimens over the course of this illness, which consisted of, among other things, combinations of anti-inflammatories, anti-bacterials, anti-nausea medications, hydration therapy and aerosolized antimicrobial therapy. While today is a difficult day for the SeaWorld family, it’s important to remember that Tilikum lived a long and enriching life while at SeaWorld and inspired millions of people to care about this amazing species. Tilikum’s life will always be inextricably connected with the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Dawn Brancheau.  While we all experienced profound sadness about that loss, we continued to offer Tilikum the best care possible, each and every day, from the country’s leading experts in marine mammals. “Tilikum had, and will continue to have, a special place in the hearts of the SeaWorld family, as well as the millions of people all over the world that he inspired,” said President & CEO of SeaWorld Joel Manby. “My heart goes out to our team who cared for him like family.” Tilikum became a part of SeaWorld’s family 25 years ago. Estimated to be about 36 years old, Tilikum was near the high end of the average life expectancy for male killer whales according to an independent scientific review. Tilikum was not born at or collected by SeaWorld. He came to us from Sealand of the Pacific in Canada. SeaWorld has not collected a whale from the wild in nearly 40 years, and this past March we announced the end of the orca breeding program effectively making the whales currently at SeaWorld the last generation of orcas under human care.

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Tilikum, World’s Most Famous Killer Whale, Dies at 36