February 26, 2010

A Message from Jim Atchison
President and Chief Executive Officer, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Earlier today, we held a press conference at SeaWorld Orlando to discuss several things related to Wednesday's killer whale incident and the death of our trainer, Dawn Brancheau.

Today at 1:00 p.m. EST, from  SeaWorld Orlando, Jim Atchison, president and chief executive officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, shared information regarding the company's review of the killer whale incident and plans for the killer whale program at each of the three SeaWorld parks.

Chuck Tompkins, Head of Animal Training for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, talks about SeaWorld killer whale trainer Dawn Brancheau.  All of us at SeaWorld are deeply saddened by the events of Wednesday, February 24 and we have extended our condolences to Dawn's family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. 

About a year ago SeaWorld launched a Twitter account giving voice to Shamu.  In part because of his worldwide celebrity and in part because of his ability to find humor in the world around him, @Shamu has gained a significant following on Twitter.  Many of his most loyal followers have noted his absence from Twitter since the tragic events of Wednesday, February 24 at SeaWorld Orlando.

February 24, 2010

It is with great sadness that I report that one of our most experienced animal trainers drowned in an incident with one of our killer whales this afternoon, February 24, 2010 at our SeaWorld Orlando park.

We have initiated an investigation to determine, to the extent possible, what occurred. There are no other details to share at this point, but we will make our findings known in due course.