By Angela Beswick
A review of safety policies for SeaWorld trainers working with killer whales is a work in progress, a spokesman for the park said today.
The internal probe follows the death of veteran whale trainer Dawn Brancheau, 40, when a killer whale pulled her into its tank after a show at SeaWorld in Orlando last month.
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment is going to bring in a panel of outside experts to assess its safety policies, which will include representatives from marine parks and aquariums.
Spokesman Fred Jacobs told the Orlando Sentinel the review is ongoing.
“The internal review is exhaustive – and exhausting – but well underway,” he told the newspaper.
SeaWorld is expecting to spend at least a few more weeks gathering data, before moving on to analysis.
The park’s focus will then turn to identifying the appropriate changes to procedure for trainers working with killer whales, Mr Jacobs said.
The family of Ms Brancheau is currently at the centre of a legal battle as they seek to suppress video footage of the attack from being released to the public.
Cameras overlooking the tank and one under the water captured the moment Tilikum, the park’s largest male orca, dragged Ms Brancheau into the water by her ponytail.
Judge Lawrence Kirkwood granted a temporary injunction and gave parties interested in viewing the tapes till April 5 to put forth any arguments they have to view it.
The media is not interested in publishing the footage but should view it in order to determine whether everything was investigated properly and to the fullest extent, the attorney representing several organisations, Rachel Fugate, told the judge.
Attorney for the Brancheau family, Jon Mills, and Ms Fugate have applied for an extension to the injunction, telling the judge they are willing to negotiate.
Under Florida law, all documents become public once an investigation has been completed.
Judge Kirkwood has yet to make a ruling on the request.
3 News