Nature can be terrifying, and without technology, humans are vulnerable against many animals. That’s why caution is crucial when interacting with wildlife. Tragically, there have been fatal incidents, including the 1991 death of Keltie Byrne, a part-time trainer at Sealand of the Pacific in Canada.
While working near a pool housing three killer whales—two females and a male named Tilikum—Keltie slipped and fell in. The whales prevented rescuers from reaching her, and she was ultimately killed. Tilikum had been captured in Iceland in 1983 and moved to Sealand a year later.
After the incident, Sealand shut down and the whales, including Tilikum, were sold to SeaWorld. In 1999, Tilikum was linked to another death, and in 2010, he killed trainer Dawn Brancheau during a live show, sparking global outrage and leading SeaWorld to end orca breeding and performances.