Tilikum returns to SeaWorld killer whale show

Tilikum, the killer whale involved in a trainer’s death more than one year ago, returned to SeaWorld’s “Believe" show on Wednesday.  It was his first time performing since the tragedy of Dawn Brancheau's death.

SeaWorld announced Tuesday that participating in the park’s show is “an important component of [Tilikum’s] physical, social and mental enrichment.”

In February 2010, trainer Brancheau was massaging Tilikum when he grabbed her ponytail and dragged her into the water, drowning her.

“He is an important part of our team,” SeaWorld President Jim Atchison said a few days after the death of trainer 40-year-old Brancheau.

Officials said that he has been regularly interacting with trainers and other whales, and has had access to all of the pools in Shamu Stadium.

Some say they’re surprised at SeaWorld’s decision.

“Tilikum has been involved in the deaths of three people,” Naomi Rose of the Humane Society of America said. “And I think that their attitude of ‘if we just keep doing what we’ve always done, everything will be fine’ is extremely cavalier. I think that they’re taking a big risk and they’re making a big mistake.”

But visitors to the park, like Andrew Chan, seem more interested in the spectacle than safety.

“I think that SeaWorld knows what they’re doing,” Chan said.