Man Vs. God (Dawn & Tilikum)

On February 24th, Dawn Brancheau, a 40 year old female trainer, was standing at the edge of a tank for an otherwise routine show at SeaWorld in Orlando, FL. Suddenly and without warning, Tilikum, a 29 year old male killer whale who has performed with Dawn before, leaped from the water, grabbed her by the hair/ponytail, and began thrashing her around. As horrified visitors watched, both from around the tank and from the viewing window below, the whale then dragged Dawn underwater to her death. It was later reported by some witnesses that the killer whale appeared to be "agitated" before the attack.

Tilikum, who weighs in at a whopping 12,000 lbs., has been an attraction at the Orlando-based marine park for 16 years. The day after the incident occurred, a SeaWorld official told reporters that "something about the trainer's ponytail" may have triggered the unexpected attack. Officials investigating the incident initially treated the death as a "homicide" with a decidedly uncommon perpetrator. Within two days, the investigators had been to the scene, sorted out the rapid-fire sequence of events that led to the death, and essentially closed their books on the case.

Unfortunately, this incident was not a first-time offense resulting in human death for Tilikum. In 1991, he and two other female killer whales drowned a trainer during a performance at Sealand of the Pacific in Vancouver. He was then sold to SeaWorld and in 1999, a man who trespassed in the marine park after hours and apparently jumped in the whale tank, was found dead and lying across Tilikum's back the next morning. As a result of those two incidents and the most recent victim, Dawn Brancheau, the question of what should be done with Tilikum was in serious debate, as most animals linked to human deaths are usually "put down" or otherwise destroyed.

In addition, serious questions have been raised about Tilikum's experiences and/or environment at SeaWorld that would cause the killer whale to react so violently to the "swish of a ponytail", as officials at the marine park would have you to believe. Another theory being explored is the idea that "confinement" was responsible for Tilikum's aggression, while others believe that animals born in captivity or those who have been in captivity for long periods of time, have adapted to "socialization" and that is all they know.

No matter what brought on this tragedy, it has been decided that Tilikum's third killing is not a "death-penalty crime" and he has benefited from that decision by merciful judges. In addition, Dawn Brancheau's relatives pleaded for mercy on behalf of the killer whale. So, a little more than 24 hours after Dawn's death, SeaWorld announced that the whale's life would be spared. It was reported that Dawn's older sister said that Dawn, who was married with no children, would not want anything to happen to the whale and the family regards her death as a tragic accident.

When I heard and read about this incident, I also felt that it was a tragic accident. I can't even begin to imagine the agony and pain that Dawn's family must be enduring at this time, not to mention the trauma of the visitors and in particular, small children, who witnessed this horrific tragedy. And yet, despite those feelings and the human death toll that is now linked to Tilikum, it might surprise you to know that I agree that his life should be spared. However, my reasons for feeling this way are somewhat different from that of SeaWorld's breeding and money or Dawn's family and their desire to carry out what she would have wanted regarding Tilikum's life. Why? Because the simple truth of the matter is, it's not about what SeaWorld, Dawn, or any of us would have wanted. It's about what God would have wanted.

Just like a parent will do anything within their power (and at all costs, I might add) to protect their children from anything that would be harmful or detrimental, God did the same for man (His children) when he created the earth and everything within it. There are certain creatures, such as killer whales, that God separated from us and He did it for a reason. He carefully and lovingly gave these creatures a special place to inhabit that was all their own, just as He did for us. And, for those of you who would argue that God gave man dominion over animals... I would reply by reminding you that He also gave man "free will" and for some of us, that is just enough rope to keep hanging ourselves over and over again.

Since the beginning of time, man has always struggled with the belief that he knows more than God... and until we accept that we do not know more than our Heavenly Father (just like children do not know more than a parent), avoidable and senseless tragedies such as this will continue to happen. Unfortunately, it is too late for man to try and rectify the mistake that was made with Tilikum by removing him from his natural habitat. Among various other reasons, he cannot be returned to the place that God prepared for him because he has no viable teeth left, which is a means of defense for killer whales. Apparently, his teeth were worn away on the holding gates that man built and used to separate him from the other whales at the marine park.

If we are completely honest with ourselves, we have witnessed this type of scenario play itself out time and time again. Now, man must come up with a reasonable solution for a needless problem that he has created for himself regarding Tilikum in order to prevent more deaths. Unfortunately, Dawn and Tilikum were merely pawns in this game of Man vs. God and it is not worth the loss of life that has occurred up to this point. It has often times been said that God allows certain things to happen for a reason. And, oh yeah... What's that other thing that's been said? You know what I'm talking about (snap, snap)... something about man not leaning to his own understanding? Proverbs 3:5!

This post is dedicated with the utmost respect to the life of Dawn Brancheau and the continued right to life of Tilikum, until God decides otherwise...