Tilikum (c. December 1981[1] – January 6, 2017), nicknamed Tilly, [2] was a captive male orca who spent most of his life at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida. He was captured in Iceland in 1983; about a …

Apr 19, 2024 · When it comes to tales of killer whales harming humans, Tilikum's story is the most notorious. Tilikum, also known as Tilly, was a male orca whale (Orcinus orca) captured off the coast …

As his expert 40-year-old trainer Dawn Brancheau leaned over the edge of his tank during what is called a “relationship session,” the 11-ton star orca Tilikum took her in his mouth, dragged her into the pool, …

Jan 6, 2023 · Tilikum was a beloved orca at the park and would perform in theatrical shows and experiences, including "Dine with Shamu," where visitors would sit alongside a tank and observe him …

Jun 13, 2023 · A male orca who was captured in Iceland in 1983, Tilikum lived most of his life in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando, where he killed his trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.

She had been performing a routine clean-up after the day’s final orca show when she suddenly lost her balance and went into the orca’s pool. Apparently believing Keltie to be a new kind of toy, three …

Aug 29, 2025 · After the release of Blackfish, the groundbreaking documentary exposing the dark side of orca captivity, Tilikum ‘s life continued within the confines of SeaWorld Orlando, albeit under …

Mar 27, 2024 · Tilikum, a transient orca, was captured off the coast of Iceland in 1983, at approximately two years old. He lived at Sealand of the Pacific, an aquarium in Canada, with two female orcas …

The largest, best known— and most notorious —orca held in captivity by SeaWorld died on Friday in Orlando after a long battle with illness, including a drug-resistant bacterial lung infection.

Tilikum (pronounced till-EH-kum) was an approximately 35-year-old male Icelandic killer whale who lived at SeaWorld Orlando. He is considered to be largely responsible for the death of senior trainer Dawn …