At Saturday’s dolphin show at Miami Seaquarium, a dolphin broke from the routine performance and violently attacked his trainer.
According to Today, the dolphin named Sundance apparently turned on his trainer and thrashed her and pushed her several times as a shocked audience looked on. Some guests thought the attack had been part of the show.
The video was captured by photographer Shannon Carpenter approximately 15 minutes after the show had started. Carpenter shared the video to his TikTok account. The video shows Sundance lunging towards the trainer swimming in the water. The trainer frantically tried to swim to the edge of the pool and was able to lift herself out. Moments later, two other performers rushed over to the trainer to check on her; she was later transported by ambulance to the hospital. She did not suffer any severe injuries.
According to a statement issued by the park, Sundance had become spooked after accidentally running into the trainer.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Seaquarium wrapped up their investigation and said in a statement, “a trainer accidentally scratched the dolphin, Sundance, with her hand. This was undoubtedly painful to Sundance, who reacted by breaking away from the routine and swimming towards and striking the trainer. Both Sundance and the trainer are recovering well.”
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Check out the video:
The dolphin shows have been the target of repeated criticism. New owners and the company CEO Eduardo Albor has stated they want Seaquarium to become an “educational opportunity” to encourage the teaching of our aquatic inhabitants and the oceans in which they live.
The new owners also announced an end to shows with the 56-year-old orca named Lolita. Sadly, the whale still lives in a tank at the park. She has been in captivity at the park since September 24, 1970 and is the second oldest orca in captivity behind Corky who resides at the San Diego SeaWorld.
(Photos via Miami Seaquarium Facebook)
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He slammed into her 3 times. He was more than mad I think he was trying to kill her the way they slam into a shark to kill it.
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