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monkey_man |
Orca knocks SeaWorld trainer off wall; minor injuries
By ALLISON HOFFMAN, Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
A SeaWorld Adventure Park trainer suffered minor injuries Tuesday after being knocked off a retaining wall by an orca during a medical checkup, park officials said.
The 35-year-old trainer fell and hit her head and side after being bumped off the wall by Orkid, a female killer whale, during a routine medical examination, said SeaWorld spokeswoman Darla Davis.
"She just lost her balance," Davis said.
The trainer was taken to a University of California, San Diego, hospital for examination. Her name was not released.
The 19-year-old whale was having a sonogram taken in preparation for possible artificial insemination, said Dave Koontz, another park spokesman. He said it was unclear if the whale intended to hit the trainer or accidentally bumped into her.
"It's hard to say right now," Koontz said. "Orkid's head came up out of the water and bumped the trainer on the side."
Koontz said park staff would review the incident.
Orkid, who weighs 5,900 pounds, was born in captivity. She has not had any calves.
Last November, Orkid grabbed a trainer and pushed him under water during a show at Shamu Stadium, tearing a ligament in the trainer's left ankle. Koontz said trainers do not believe Orkid's behavior was aggressive.
That incident came two weeks before another trainer was bit and held underwater several times by Kasatka, a 7,000-pound killer whale, during a show at Shamu Stadium. The trainer escaped with a broken foot and was hospitalized for three days.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/04/10/state/n105214D31.DTL
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gimmekeef |
She down there trying out as part of the Whale show?.... |
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jb |
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18036703/ |
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glencar |
Rosie is an outrageous woman. Even chubby chasers avoid her! |
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