A killer whale attacked the trainer and dragged him under the water in front of the public! Do killer whales attack people? How many such cases are known? How safe are these marine animals for humans? A killer whale attacks a man on the shore.

Killer whales - largest representatives dolphin family. They have always attracted human attention with their beauty and grandeur. Those who saw them in wildlife they say that it is impossible to take your eyes off when these graceful, despite their size, mammals appear on the surface of the water. But it is a carnivore that feeds on sea creatures. And in this regard, many are interested in whether these whales attack people, are such cases known, how dangerous are they for humans? After all, they live everywhere, although they rarely approach the shores, but this also happens.

Scientific classification of animal

An orca is not a fish, as is sometimes thought, but a marine mammal from the dolphin family. It is the only representative of its genus and noticeably differs from all dolphins not only in contrasting color, but also in structure:

• The head is not so long, without a beak;
• The dorsal fin is straight, strongly rising above the body;
• The pectoral flippers are not pointed, unlike those of dolphins, but oval in shape;
• They have a light spot above each eye and behind the dorsal fin.

Mammals are distributed everywhere. The only waters where animals do not swim are Azov, Black and Vostochno - Siberian sea. In our country they are found in the coastal waters of the Kuril Islands and in the southwestern part Pacific Ocean.

Killer whales are predators. Their diet is mainly pinnipeds. But much depends on the specialization of the population. Thus, mammals living off the coast of Norway prefer to eat Norwegian herring.

There is an opinion that animals do not attack people, despite the fact that they are carnivorous. Is it so?

Can a killer whale attack a person?

As experienced sailors, Arctic explorers and trainers in aquariums say, the predator does not pose a danger to humans in its natural habitat.

All carnivores concentrate their attention on familiar prey, a predisposition to which they have developed over generations. Killer whales are the last link in the ocean food chain, their only rival is the shark, but as practice shows, the latter prefer not to mess with them. Therefore, the mammal has a sufficient choice of prey; the menu can be updated at least every day. She has no need to get involved with what is unusual.

In nature, everything lives according to laws. A person can arouse interest and curiosity, but why hunt him when there is enough familiar food nearby. Almost no attacks on humans by these animals have been recorded.

Known cases of killer whale attacks on humans

Officially there is not a single documented case of an animal attacking a person in the wild. They talk about one incident: in 1986, a predator attacked a surfer. The guy survived, but lost his leg. However, this is known only from the words of eyewitnesses.

Killer whales can be very aggressive, especially during the breeding season. Zoologists and trainers say that captive predators can be dangerous because they are often under stress.

There are several known cases of attacks on aquarium workers:

1. In the 90s in America, a mammal dragged a trainer underwater. At first it was planned according to the script. But when the beast emerged, he did not let go of the man, but plunged into the water with him again. What saved Mike was that he had been studying killer whales for many years. Without giving in to panic, the trainer began to stroke the ward as if nothing was happening and thanks to this he remained alive;
2. The most tragic incident occurred in 2010. One of the males kept in the aquarium grabbed the trainer by the hair and dragged her to the bottom. The woman died.

Not a single animal was killed after the attack. In each case, the fault lay solely with the person. You should expect an attack from a predator at any time, especially if you keep it in captivity.

Is the animal under protection?

Recently, the number of designated mammals has greatly decreased. The person is to blame, of course. The point is to increase the volume of fishing. Fishermen perceive killer whales as competitors and exterminate them. These animals are protected are not located.

In 1982, a moratorium on hunting these animals was introduced. However, irresponsible fishermen do not comply with it. In addition, predators are becoming increasingly popular in aquariums. They are captured and placed in artificial pools to prepare for performances.

Meanwhile, these are unique creatures, with complex social organization. They live in families, which usually include a female and her cubs. Families, in turn, unite into flocks. Members of the pack are very strongly attached to each other.

Finding a match for them can be difficult. Individuals of the same flock do not mate with each other, since they are relatives. Mating only occurs when connecting with another group.

Young healthy members of the group take care of the old and sick. They provide them with food and protect them in times of danger.

Killer whales need protection. Yes, they are not on the verge of extinction, but if the problem is not addressed in time, this will happen.

Population status in the world

The issue of protecting marine predators is controversial. In our country, killer whales are excluded from the Red Book list. Scientists justify this by saying that they do not have natural enemies. They themselves eat up to 250 kg of fish per day, including the more vulnerable ones who become their food rare species. Fishermen claim that they lose 60% of their catch in places where the predator lives.

On the contrary, the World Commission is sounding the alarm and asking for an investigation. Scientists in other countries argue that there is not enough information to make such statements and require a more in-depth study of the problem. In their opinion, the population needs careful protection, since it is one of a kind. Wherein it is necessary to properly regulate their numbers and then you will be able to avoid mistakes.

In addition, the United States actively opposes keeping mammals in captivity. Some states have already passed legislation to ban it. It does not allow the predator to be used as a circus performer. In our country this issue does not yet arise.

Any animal obeys the laws of nature. He will never intentionally harm a person except in special situations. If you are going on vacation to the ocean and are wondering whether killer whales can attack people, or are afraid of becoming their victim, don’t worry. They rarely come close to land, and they don’t even consider us as food. Sharks are much more dangerous in this sense.

Video: killer whale attack on trainer

Below is shocking footage of this cetacean attacking its trainer:

When we think of animals that can take our lives in an instant, most likely in order to then eat us, we usually think of lions, sharks or tigers. However, there are animals in the world that are capable of killing a person, which we would never suspect of this, since they are generally considered harmless. Below is a list of such animals, including the man-eating seal, that pose a natural threat to human life.

10. Man-eating seal

The seal is not the first animal that comes to mind when it comes to man-eating animals. However, Antarctica is home to a terrifying marine mammal known as the leopard seal. The body length of an adult reaches 3.7 meters, and the weight is more than 450 kilograms. These snake-like leopard seals prowl the coastal waters of Antarctic ice shelves. Leopard seals are distinguished by their ferocious temper, huge fangs and the ability to chase prey at enormous speeds.

During Ernest Shackleton's historic expedition to Antarctica, one of the crew members was attacked on the shore by a huge leopard seal. The man miraculously escaped death, and only because the leopard seal was shot by his comrades. In 2003, a leopard seal grabbed and dragged researcher Kirsty Brown, causing injuries that led to her death—the first fatality after three recorded attacks.

9. Spitting Cobra


African spitting cobras grow up to 3 meters in length and have specifically adapted mouthparts that allow them to spit venom over distances exceeding 2.5 meters. Snakes aim for the eyes of victims and release venom, which can effectively dissolve the eyes if the person does not receive immediate treatment. health care.

Scientists have determined that spitting cobras react even when they are shown fake faces. They hit the fake face's "eyes" eight out of ten times, releasing a very precise stream of poison with the force of a water pistol. Moreover, the worst thing is that a spitting cobra releases poison so quickly that a person does not have time to react. That is why, if you are planning a trip to the habitats of spitting cobras, do not forget to wear Sunglasses.

8. Transiting killer whales


Killer whales are the most ferocious creatures of all marine mammals. They became famous for killing sharks, devouring giant baleen whales and swimming into tidal pools to catch seals. Despite the fact that scientists and marine life enthusiasts often state that “orcas are safe for humans,” there is a danger that a potential threat that is fatal dangerous predators represent to humans are actually underestimated. Transiting killer whales or rogue killer whales prefer to hunt animals and can easily find a replacement for seals, their usual prey.

In 1972, a California surfer needed 100 stitches after being dragged away by a killer whale. More than thirty years later, a 7.6-meter killer whale attacked and mauled a boy from Canada. In another terrible case, a whole group of killer whales took part, which tried, using the movements of their own bodies, to create a huge wave that would “wash” the scientists out of their boat. They use this tactic to catch seals sitting on ice floes. Despite the fact that killer whales have attacked very few people, it is possible that such a small number of incidents can only be explained by the fact that they did not have a suitable opportunity...

7. Wolverine


Wolverines are exactly what nightmares are made of, and their ferocity deserves deep respect. They weigh only fifteen kilograms, look like some kind of small bears, and are not much different in size from a medium-sized dog, however, this lone hunter can take down a moose on his own and even kill a person.

The wolverine is actually a member of the mustelid family, however, it has special adaptations that allow it to rush forward at high speed and mutilate large prey by piercing its jugular vein, hamstrings, or spine at the base of the skull. The teeth, which are disproportionately large and capable of crushing bone, can cause serious and usually fatal injuries to the victim. Wolverines have almost never attacked people, but they most likely do not do this due to the remoteness of their northern habitats from humans. However, there have been several recorded deaths from wolverine bites throughout history, and the injuries they inflict on humans are usually very serious.

6. Killer Coyote


Agile coyotes, whose body is one and a half meters long and weighs 30 kilograms, can run at a speed of 64 kilometers per hour and jump over a distance of four meters. Over the past few decades, a huge number of coyote attacks on people, and especially children, have been recorded.

In a recent attack, a child was killed by a suburban coyote, and in another case, Canadian pop singer Taylor Mitchell was killed and partially eaten by coyotes in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Recent injuries sustained in non-death coyote attacks include back injuries, severed ears, scalps, chewed bones, and eye injuries.

5. Great Eagle Owl


The Great Eagle Owl is a magnificent and sometimes ferocious predator endemic to the Americas. Weighing more than 1.8 kilograms and with a wingspan of one and a half meters, the Great Eagle Owl, also known as the “Flying Tiger,” hunts prey three times its size.

The great eagle owl uses its huge claws to hunt skunks and cats, and they have earned this 60cm predator the title of the only bird of prey, which caused fatal injuries to a person during the attack. The attack occurred when the scientist took some eggs from the nest for research, which caused the enraged predator to rush at the man and inflict fatal wounds on him, piercing his skull with its claws. Great eagle owls live from Alaska to Brazil and often occupy crow nests. Climbing into the nests of unfamiliar birds can have deadly consequences...

4. Giant anteater


The giant anteater is a strange mammal, found primarily in grasslands and grasslands, and is endemic South America. It can grow up to 1.8 meters in length and reach a weight of approximately 70 kilograms. Despite the fact that anteaters look completely ridiculous, and even cute in their own way, you should not hug or approach them.

Anteaters are physically adapted to tearing anthills to shreds, allowing their elephant trunk-like snout to pull out hundreds of ants. If an anteater is afraid of a person or any other animal, it is quite capable of quickly tearing apart an uninvited guest with its powerful paws and knife-sharp claws. In one incident, a sanctuary worker working to help these endangered animals was attacked and subsequently died from his injuries.

3. Irukandji Jellyfish


In some cases, it is not the size, strength or ferocity that makes an animal dangerous to humans, but its ability to hide, which allows it to sneak past us freely, and when we notice it, it is too late. While box jellyfish warnings are a mandatory part of beach placards, it's worth noting that there is another "tiny killer" to watch out for - the Irukandji jellyfish. This transparent and almost invisible creature, whose size is only one cubic centimeter, swims aimlessly through the waves, dragging behind it 60 centimeter tentacles, which contain venom that is a hundred times stronger than the venom of a cobra.

Swimmers who barely touch this invisible creature require emergency hospitalization, and two deaths were reported in Australia in 2002. The Irukandji jellyfish even swims into UK coastal waters - meaning danger can be present almost anywhere...

2. California sea lion


Those trained fur seals we often see in circus acts and aquarium shows are actually California sea lions, large marine mammals that live off the western coast of North America. Clever pinnipeds quickly learn to perform various tricks, but in the wild these 320-kilogram tricksters, whose body length reaches 1.8 meters, can be quite dangerous. Male sea lions are very aggressive and territorial, and there have been cases of them attacking swimmers in the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean. In this region, there are far more cases of sea lion attacks on humans than cases of shark attacks. In 2004, a sea lion jumped into a fisherman's boat, pulled him off the boat and pulled him into the water - the man miraculously survived. The name “sea lion” was clearly given to him for a reason...

1. Asian carp


Asian carp are wild and fairly large relatives of the goldfish, reaching a weight of 45 kilograms and a length of more than 1.2 meters. These fish are endemic to Asian rivers and the fact that they were brought to North America, turned out to be a big mistake: they flooded waterways and lakes in huge quantities.

Since the areas in which this fish settles usually coincide with the areas reserved for human recreation on the water, the habit of fish to jump high out of the water is a death threat. There have been many cases of motorboat drivers suffering serious head and body injuries due to huge carp jumping out of the water and hitting them. Injuries included broken bones, back injuries and black eyes. Government departments in the US and Canada have called for action to reduce the population of these killer carp before it becomes fatal...

Image caption Killer whales are constant participants in shows in aquariums

A killer whale attack on a trainer at the famous SeaWorld aquarium in Orlando, Florida, ended in death.

According to aquarium workers, it was an accident because the woman lost her balance and fell into the water.

However, eyewitnesses claim that the killer whale (and in English these mammals are called “killer whales”) jumped out of the water and grabbed the trainer across the lower back, dragging her under the water.

The incident occurred during a matinee performance. The aquarium was immediately closed, and visitors were urgently evacuated.

The efforts of rescuers and the resuscitation team did not help: the woman could not be brought back to life

A killer whale dolphin named Tilikum has been linked to the death of a trainer before: this happened in Canada in 1991, local media reported.

In other aquariums, cases of whale attacks on trainers were also recorded - in 2006 and 2004.

Accident?

The Florida incident occurred on Wednesday around two o'clock in the afternoon (1900 GMT).

According to the official statement of the director of the aquarium, the trainer was one of the most experienced workers. The county sheriff added that the woman slipped and fell into the water, so for now it is being considered an accident.

However, eyewitnesses say that the trainer was attacked by the animal.

Aquarium visitor Victoria Biniak told a local TV channel that immediately after the trainer explained the essence of the performance to the audience, one of the killer whales “swimmed sharply in circles, picking up speed, jumped out, grabbed the trainer in the lumbar region and began to swing her from side to side.”

The Orlando Aquarium is known for its shows featuring killer whales, dolphins and seals. As a result of the incident, all orca shows here and at another SeaWorld in San Diego have been discontinued.

A series of incidents

Tilikum has attacked people before, BBC correspondent Andy Gallagher reports from Florida.

In 1991, a trainer died during a show at an aquarium in British Columbia in Canada.

After Tilikum was sold to Florida, another incident occurred when caretakers discovered the naked body of a man in his swimming pool in 1999.

The investigation revealed that the deceased most likely entered SeaWorld after the aquarium closed, fell into the killer whale pool and drowned as a result of instant hypothermia.

However, SeaWorld has had other unfortunate incidents involving killer whales.

In November 2006, in San Diego, trainer Kenneth Peters was bitten and nearly drowned by a three-ton female killer whale during a performance. He was lucky and escaped with only a broken leg.

In 2004, at the San Antonio Aquarium, a killer whale tried to bite a trainer, but even then nothing happened.

Despite their sinister reputation, killer whales, also called killer whales (Orcinus orca), are the most numerous members of the dolphin family.

Activists from the Peta Humane Society say they have repeatedly asked SeaWorld management not to use whales in their shows, for which the aquarium's largest pool is like a bathtub for a person.

Movies present killer whales as cute big creatures, capable of making friends with a boy and his friends, performing tricks without training and squealing pleasantly. But a kind killer whale is the same fairy tale as Santa Claus or Babai. Moreover, this animal is more similar to the latter in its disposition. In a pod, killer whales are friendly, stick to their family and do not look for partners on the outside. But if you displease the killer whale in some way, you will get a 6-7 meter monster with a mouth full of fangs.

In American aquariums you can interact with almost all the animals of the sea. There are stingrays, dolphins, fur seals, and penguins. Not without killer whales.

Until now, scientists had not even thought about training these ferocious predators. But by pure chance, during experiments, American neurophysiologists discovered in these predators not just the ability, but a real love for dancing. One day, scientists gave a young male a chance to listen to Beethoven's violin concerto. Literally with the first sounds of music, the animal began to rush around the pool, dancing on its tail and jumping out of the water. He tumbled in every possible way on the water, stuck out his head and tail, and let out fountains of water. This love for Beethoven’s work brought killer whales into captivity in aquariums.

Killer whales are large dolphins. They are divided into three types according to size: large, black and ferez. The last one is the smallest - only 2 meters - and extremely rare. The black killer whale reaches 6 meters in length and weighs 1.5 tons. However, she prefers a warm climate. Large killer whales are exactly the breed that took part in the filming of the film “Save Willy.” Among all her relatives, she is the most dangerous. In nature, a killer whale has no enemies, so there is no fear. She hunts birds fur seals, seals, dolphins, squids and even sharks. IN extreme cases, the whole flock overwhelms the baleen whale. In pursuit of prey, killer whales are capable of reaching speeds of 30 km. at one o'clock. Killer whales communicate using high-frequency pulses similar to clicks. Echolocation is as important for them as it is for bats. Without it they are blind and deaf.

This is not to say that killer whales are bloodthirsty monsters. If the oceanic world is equated with the savannah, then killer whales will be lions. Cases of killer whale attacks on humans in the open ocean are very rare. Over the past 30 years, only one case has been recorded - in 1986, a killer whale attacked a surfer. He survived, but lost his leg, which the killer whale injured with its teeth.

But in the American aquarium SeaWorld, tragic incidents involving killer whales occur year after year. Oceanarium trainers say that killer whales periodically try to bite or drag a person into the pool. But commands almost always help bring some sense into predators.

However, a tragic incident occurred in 1987. Then, during the performance, the killer whale jumped out of the water and fell straight onto the trainer standing on the shore. As a result, he suffered a broken leg and several ribs. In the 90s, a killer whale grabbed trainer Mike Scarpuzzi by the leg and dragged him to the bottom. “It was a well-practiced trick,” said Mike, vice president of “ Water world" “According to the scenario, the killer whale jumped out of the water, and the trainer dived into the water from its nose. But the unexpected happened that day.”

Despite the team of trainers, the killer whale plunged Mike 10.9 meters under water. A minute later, both the prey and the predator reappeared on the surface, but the killer whale ignored all the commands and sank to the bottom again. Mike had 12 years of experience with killer whales and other marine animals. And this experience told me not to panic, to act as if everything was going according to plan. Overcoming the pain in his bitten leg, the trainer began stroking the killer whale with his usual movements. She loosened her grip and calmed down, after which Mike, with the last of his strength, swam to the edge of the pool and was immediately given into the hands of doctors.

But the most tragic story happened this year. The American company SeaWorld in Orlando was fined 75 thousand dollars this time. The reason for the fine was insufficient adherence to safety rules, which led to the death of 40-year-old trainer Dawn Brancheau. Information about the tragic incident was posted on the website of the US Department of Labor.

On February 24, 2010, a male named Tilikum grabbed his trainer by the hair during a performance and dived to the bottom of the pool. The woman choked on water. Many demanded that Telikum be euthanized, but management decided to leave the killer whale in the aquarium for brood. In fact, the animal is not dangerous to humans, since it did not intend to kill or eat the trainer.

This incident created a wave of fear among fans of performances with predators. And for good reason. Communication between humans and wild animals is pleasant entertainment. But it’s worth thinking about, is this entertainment so pleasant for the animals themselves?