"Blackfish" is Not Dawn's Story

To advance both its anti-captivity claim and false theories surrounding Brancheau’s death, the film falsely suggests that Tilikum had become aggressive and psychotic. Ever since Dawn Brancheau was a young girl she always said “I want to work at SeaWorld and train Shamu!” Brancheau visited SeaWorld throughout her youth and which each experience her fascination with the marine mammals grew. For her sixteenth birthday her family adopted a whale in her name. She began working at the Shamu Stadium at SeaWorld in 1996 and instantly bonded with the orca whales. Brancheau worked hard to become one of the most experienced trainers in her field. According to the Dawn Brancheau Foundation: “Dawn left the world doing what she loved.” Brancheau’s family tremendously supports SeaWorld despite the accident. After the film was broadcasted her family said: “Blackfish is not Dawn’s story. Dawn Brancheau believed in the ethical treatment of animals. Dawn followed her dreams and became a marine animal trainer. She loved the whales and was proud of her work as a trainer.”  They continue to say how Tilikum was a whale she knew well and loved and how she would have never worked at SeaWorld for fifteen years if she felt like the animals were being mistreated. (Dawn Brancheau Foundation). Tilikum went eighteen years constantly working and engaging with trainers, researchers and veterinarians safely. Today, Tilikum remains at SeaWorld where he continues to thrive and socialize with trainers and guests.