Archive: Tilikum Splash Segment from 1994

Tilikum, a captive wild caught Icelandic Orcinus orca, performs during a show in 1994. He is the star of a movie called "Blackfish" and has been doing this same show segment for over twenty years. In the wild, he would stay with his mother and family for life. Unfortunately, due to captivity, he's killed three humans, so he is often isolated and is still bullied by the smaller more agile females he lives with.

[@Alyssa3010]

It's so crazy to see his dorsal fin less collapsed. Such a proud and beautiful creature deserves so much more. Here's to hoping the upcoming CNN screening of Blackfish changes enough minds and raises enough voices to send Tilikum to a sea-pen.

[@MrsGiovanellaAline]

He's so different, looks and feels like it is another animal. So many years in captivity and poor conditions breaks any animal's spirit.

[@GayBirdHere]

The underwater camera is very intriguing.

[@kylieadams1397]

The kid watching looks so happy, like I'm sure I did when I went to Sea World as a child. Knowing what I know now, there are tears in my eyes. Poor Tilly. My heart breaks for the orcas stuck in this prison.

[@Razzlewolfflight]

They don't even tell you his real name, and all of the emphasis is on getting the crowd wet. Where is the value in this? Poor Tili is a show prop. These kids act like they're at a water park, not viewing one of the most amazing animals nature has ever produced.

[@mysunni1]

How on earth anyone could possibly enjoy this?!! Glad to see there aren't many people there. So absolutely criminal what they are subjecting this amazing being to. Orcas may possess higher intelligence than humans. They absolutely are smarter than their exploiters.

[@greatloverofmusic1]

His poor heart is broken and has been for a long, long time. So sorry to Tilly and all other captured cetaceans-

[@4theOrcas]

Wow... I don't know if it's his smaller size back then or if he doesn't give a damn anymore, but I've never seen him catch that much air!

[@Razzlewolfflight]

He probably wasn't quite as defeated back then.

[@Hayden3210]

2:01 HIS DORSAL FIN ISNT COLLAPSED AT ALL UNDERWATER WOW

[@GayBirdHere]

Water current I guess

[@corinebolton]

The lady doesn't call him Tilikum at the beginning, ramu or something like that...

[@MnCoffeebean]

Breaks my heart :(

[@Hayden3210]

his dorsal fin isn't collapsed 100% like today

[@skylala4955]

Seriously to the people saying "OH HE LOOKS SO MUCH HEALTHIER AND ENERGETIC". Really? You do know he was a teenager here? No more then 14 years old. He's now in his 30's (in the wild he most likely would have died by now). Do you think a 30+ year old man would be as energetic as his 14 year old self? Most of the time, the answer is no.

[@katjed1]

Get a clue. It is amazing he is 30 in captivity. Average span for captives is only 9 yrs. as opposed to wild of 50 or 60 yrs

[@TheJesaku]

There are still 8 orcas alive that were captured between late 60's and mid 80's, so i think it is partial a mentality thing - the poor things either die quickly or a able to endure captivity real long and are getting to reach the natural the age mark. It's the captiv born orcas that die way to soon. most of them never made it to their teens.

[@cervantesandihateivy]

TheJesaku seaworld never caught a wild. orca gor over 50 years tilli was captured by another company #blackfishlies

[@TheJesaku]

It doesn't matter who caught them for my statement to be relevant.

[@willianramos5650]

NANDU AND SAMOA

[@ScousePets]

god he is so athletic their compared to last yr god and his dorsal fin is not as bent im surprised how high he jumped normally he couldnt jump half that high even videos of him 6 yrs later in 2000 he could not jump that high

[@willianramos5650]

TILIKUM , KATINA , WINNIE , GUDRUN AND BABY TAIMA

[@Jess-mo7hg]

Holy hell! U mean he hasnt grown any larger in 20 yrs?!!!! She said hes 23 ft (everything i read hes only 22.5ft today) hes still that same length today! Hes been the same lenght since he was 14 OMG shame on u $eaworld

[@MrsGiovanellaAline]

Ramu was the stage name for male killer whales. Like Shamu and baby Shamu.

[@Razzlewolfflight]

Wow, it looks like there's no one there. Were shows less popular then or was this just a bad day? Regardless, poor Tili looks honestly...healthier here. I hate those damn stage names...guess we have to keep the illusion alive somehow, right? I hope the public at least gets to know the real names of these animals now, considering how fast they die in these poor excuses for habitats. Hang in there baby, one day we'll get you back to the ocean...

[@tinab.5169]

Very sad

[@joshf8790]

Got to love all the anti-caps that think this is so bad.. They are the ones that are messed up.

[@ripplewavess]

IKR, they believe a fake propaganda flim?

[@bluejackgirlyx]

sick

[@sandraarbogast9533]

he needs help and get out of this basin that will kill one day! Listen to me the music that comes and goes every day more is too much! Mammals can not rest there instead they are stressed and sick. I want more of these parks #freetilikum