Tilikum, 'Blackfish' Orca, Dies After Lengthy Illness

ORLANDO, FL — Tilikum, the SeaWorld Orlando orca involved in the 2010 death of trainer Dawn Brancheau, has died. Park officials made the announcement about the killer whale featured in "Blackfish" via the park’s website Friday morning.

“The SeaWorld family is deeply saddened to announce that one of its most well-known orcas, Tilikum, has passed away. Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care,” the park’s announcement said.

Tilikum had been in the care of SeaWorld for about 25 years. He was estimated to be about 36 years old. A turn in the creature’s health was announced last spring.

“We’re saddened to report that recently Tilikum’s health has deteriorated,” the park tweeted in March 2016.

See also: SeaWorld's Tilikum Gravely Ill

A video released by SeaWorld chronicled the orca’s daily routine and the battle that was being waged to save the aging whale’s life.

“He has a disease which is chronic and progressive,” veterinarian Dr. Scott Gearhart said on the video released last March. “We have not found a cure for this disease at this point.”

Gearhart explained that Tilikum suffered from a respiratory condition that is “very difficult to treat. I wish I could say I was tremendously optimistic.”

The official cause of Tilikum’s death will be determined during a necropsy. The park said Friday its veterinary team had been treating Tilikum for a “persistent and complicated bacterial lung infection.”

The park acknowledged Tilikum’s involvement in Brancheu’s death when making its Friday announcement.

“Tilikum’s life will always be inextricably connected with the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Dawn Brancheau,” the statement said. “While we all experienced profound sadness about that loss, we continued to offer Tilikum the best care possible, each and every day, from the country’s leading experts in marine mammals.”

Joel Manby, SeaWorld’s CEO and president, issued the following statement: “Tilikum had, and will continue to have, a special place in the hearts of the SeaWorld family, as well as the millions of people all over the world that he inspired. My heart goes out to our team who cared for him like family.”

See also: SeaWorld Announces End Of Orca Breeding

Tilikum made national headlines in 2010 following Brancheau’s death. His life story was also the focus of the documentary “Blackfish,” which was released in 2013. The movie asserts the stress of captivity might be behind the attack that resulted in Brancheau’s death. Tilikum was also implicated in two other human deaths: one in 1991 involving the drowning death of a Sealand trainer, and another in 1999 at SeaWorld during which a visitor drown after sneaking into the whale enclosure after closing.

Shortly after Tilikum’s failing health was revealed last year, SeaWorld announced it intended to end its orca breeding program and would phase killer whales out of its shows over the next few years.

Screenshot and video courtesy of SeaWorld Orlando