11 Most Bizarre Zoo Accidents

1. Tilikum The Killer Whale Slaughters Three People Over 19-Year Period (British Columbia/Orlando/Orlando, 1991/1999/2010)

"Tilly" seems like a nickname you would associate with a friendly pet - yet it is actually the label given to a bull orca who killed three people in 19 years. Yes, Tilikum literally is a "killer" whale - as the 860-stone Icelandic sea mammal has caused the death of two of his trainers and one Sea World visitor. First of all, Tilikum - who was captured off the coast of Iceland in 1983 - and two female killer whales submerged a 20-year-old marine biology student under the water after she had fallen into their pool at Sealand of the Pacific in British Columbia, Canada, in February 1991. Keltie Byrne was dragged around the pool by the whales, before being drowned as they continuously submerged her. It later turned out that, unbeknown to staff at the time, both females were pregnant and were likely protecting their soon-to-be offspring. The following year, Tilikum was moved to SeaWorld Orlando in Florida and, in July 1999, 27-year-old Daniel Dukes was discovered dead and stripped naked on the killer whale's back. Mr Dukes had stayed hidden at the park overnight before climbing into the orca tank, where he was attacked and drowned by Tilikum. Finally, in February 2010, Tilikum killed his 40-year-old trainer Dawn Brancheau. As part of a post-show routine at SeaWorld, Ms Branchau was rubbing the whale's back before she was pulled under the water by Tilikum. Tilikum severed his trainer's spinal cord, broke numerous bones in her body, and eventually killed her by drowning. Despite these incidents, Tilikum has been back performing since March 2011 - and remains one of the most-popular attractions at Sea World Orlando.