<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tragedy struck at a Florida theme park on February 24, 2010, when a performing Orca whale fatally dragged its trainer under the water in front of horrified tourists.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dawn Brancheau had been lying on her stomach on a cement slab in shallow water, nose-to-nose with the 5500kg orca Tilikum at the close of a Dine with Shamu show at SeaWorld Orlando when it grabbed her.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She was pulled underwater as staff threw nets to catch the giant whale, and onlookers threw food into the water to distract it.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/new-study-debunks-theory-on-why-sharks-fled-aussie-islands-after-vicious-orca-attack/3582d90d-9837-4a2b-864d-519902658e20" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sharks left the Neptune Islands after an orca attack in 2015. Now, we're closer to knowing why"><strong><span>Sharks left the Neptune Islands after an orca attack in 2015. Now, we're closer to knowing why</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It was 30 minutes before Tilikum was moved to another SeaWorld pool and the body of Brancheau could be freed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tilikum, the then-largest orca held in captivity, was involved in two other deaths of people before Brancheau was killed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>SeaWorld bosses paused the orca shows at their parks for three days before they resumed - but without trainers getting in the water.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/today-in-history-february-24-what-happened-on-this-day/53dd377d-b04a-4446-b068-1040c579629f" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The shows were worth hundreds of millions of dollars and drew thousands of visitors to the park every year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Animal rights advocates criticised the theme park giant, arguing Tilikum was snared in a business model that led only to tragedy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victorians-warned-to-brace-for-a-soaking-with-thunderstorms-flash-flooding-forecast/f1ec6a48-d4a2-4ae8-acfc-f4a86ae802a8" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victorians brace for soaking with thunderstorms, flash flooding forecast"><strong><span>Victorians brace for soaking with thunderstorms, flash flooding forecast</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They demanded the orcas and other marine mammals at SeaWorld parks should be released into sea pens or coastal sanctuaries.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Three years after the death of Brancheau, the documentary </span><em><span>Blackfish</span></em><span> helped turn public opinion against keeping orcas in captivity.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The show argued that killer whales in captivity become more aggressive toward humans and each other.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Because of it, several entertainers pulled out of planned performances at SeaWorld parks and animal rights activists increased their demonstrations outside the parks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hit with falling profits and dipping attendances at its theme parks, SeaWorld changed its orca shows from displays of theatrical tricks to "educational encounter" presentations .</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>SeaWorld in 2016 also scrapped its controversial orca breeding program.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The following year Tilikum died from a bacterial infection.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>