RIP Tilikum, dies at SeaWorld at 36
 

Tilikum, the orca, who was the main protagonist of the documentary "Blackfish" has died on Friday, January 6, 2017, due to a lung infection. He was the symbol of animal captivity.

I'm really sad about his passing, but at the same time relieved that he is no longer suffering from his illness and for being a prisoner in that "seajail" for 25 years.:tcry:

I hope Tili's legacy will live forever and I hope his children and other animals that live in other aquariums, will be released into a sea pen (whales and dolphins) and wildlife refuge to be cared for the rest of their lives.

Rest in peace, Tili. You are free at last.

No longer Should orcas do silly tricks in small tanks:-? Let them be free.

Man, 2017 doesn't even spare animals. This is getting ridiculous now.

Lots of deaths occur every year. This whole "2016 and 2017 are the worst years EVAR~!" just because apparently more "celebrities" died than in any other year in the last decade or so, is one of the dumbest things ever. Yeah as if 2016 and 2017 are even near being as bad as the WW1 and WW2 years.

True. Captivity should end for these sentient animals.

He was wild caught too, if memory serves.

Be at peace, big guy.

This is such a complicated issue, because sea world really does do a lot of amazing things, but they rely on admission ticket sales in order to afford them.

And with the threat of the repeal of The Endangered Species Act, we kind of need zoos now more than ever.

It's under threat of repeal? I hadn't heard that. I knew several species have been/were considered for removal from it but complete repeal?! :teek: Utterly stupid idea ya ask me. The whole reason we HAVE it is to prevent more cases like Martha, the last passenger pigeon who died in a zoo, by preserving species from extinction in the wild.

Ya think the people wanting to repeal it care about that? They're more interested in using that money for fighter jets.

Goodnight, sweet prince.

True, but they MIGHT care, if it was the last (insert whatever they love hunting on vacation from passing laws no one wants) and they have nothing left to shoot at....