TIlikum's Innocence Regarding the Death of Daniel P. Dukes'

In July of 1999, Daniel P. Dukes, a 27 year old man was found in a killer whale tank at the SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. He intruded into SeaWorld and broke into the back area of the Shamu Stadium after the park closed for the day. He jumped into Tilikum’s tank and was found dead in the early morning. Dukes’ body was found draped over the back of the largest whale held in captivity: Tilikum. “Blackfish” claims that his death was caused by aggressive acts by Tilikum rather than hypothermia and accidental drowning as the medical examiner determined. However, Ph. D., Naomi Rose, an outspoken critic of SeaWorld who actually appeared in the credits of “Blackfish” said this after the incident: “Since the body was found on Tilikum’s back, it’s unlikely the whale was behaving aggressively…The whale was probably playing with the man and continued to play with the body after the man died.” Also, marine mammal expert from the University of Miami, Sam Gruber, also describes killer whales as playful creatures and how tossing prey around and placing it on their backs is often a form of playing…not aggression. (The Orlando Sentinel). Multiple experts, scientists and researchers have concluded that the death of Dukes’ was not a result of Tilikum’s aggression as “Blackfish” likes to claim.