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 …

Jan 6, 2023 · Tilikum was the focus for the controversial 2013 documentary Blackfish, which detailed the killings and presented them as a direct result of the stress he endured while living in captivity.

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.

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, …

Tilikum died a year later of a lung infection – 33 years after being captured as a baby off the coast of Iceland. But even though he died over six years ago, he will no doubt remain a symbol of the …

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 …

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 …

On February 24, 2010, Tilikum pulled SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau into his pool and killed her. That tragic event made world news, but few people realized the orca had already been involved in...

Aug 29, 2025 · Tilikum was the central figure in Blackfish. The documentary explored his life, from his capture to his involvement in the deaths of three people. Blackfish argued that his aggressive …