Whale grabbed ponytail, pulled trainer into tank

Whale grabbed ponytail, pulled trainer into tank, SeaWorld says
February 25, 2010 10:29 a.m. EST

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Whale shows canceled Thursday at SeaWorld
Trainer Dawn Brancheau, 40, fatally injured by killer whale at SeaWorld Orlando
The whale, Tillikum, has been linked to two other deaths
Incident already has sparked debate about keeping killer whales in captivity to perform

(CNN) -- Whale shows at SeaWorld were canceled Thursday, and officials were re-evaluating safety procedures a day after a 12,000 pound killer whale grabbed a trainer's ponytail, dragged her under water and killed her in front of shocked onlookers at Shamu Stadium.

Dawn Brancheau, 40, was "pulled underwater for an extended period of time," by the whale, Chuck Tompkins, SeaWorld's curator of zoological operations, told CNN's "American Morning." He said he had no further information on the exact cause of Brancheau's death, citing an ongoing investigation.

The incident occurred about 2 p.m. Wednesday. Tompkins said the whale, named Tillikum, had just finished a session with Brancheau, who was standing by the side of his pool and leaning over the whale, rubbing his head.

"She had a long ponytail that brushed in front of her and apparently got in front of his nose," Tompkins said. "He probably felt it." Tillikum grabbed the ponytail and pulled Brancheau into the water, he said.

Earlier accounts varied on how Brancheau ended up in the tank.
read more here
Whale grabbed ponytail, pulled trainer into tank