An ex-Miami Seaquarium diver who trained Hugo the Killer Whale has revealed he "crashed through the glass viewing window wanting to escape" - before his body was taken to a dump.
A young male orca in February 1968 was captured in Vaughn Bay, near Washington, and was shipped to Miami Seaquarium in Florida. He was later named Hugo and was held in a tiny pool until he was wheeled out to paying spectators at the Seaquarium to watch him perform and play tricks.
Hugo was set to be moved to a larger tank but instead, he remained in a tiny enclosure for two years and became increasingly claustrophobic in his surroundings. He made multiple attempts to try and show his unhappiness - including banging his head through the glass viewing window, according to Richard O'Barry, who left in 1970 to campaign against animal cruelty.
READ MORE: America's loneliest manatees Romeo and Juliet finally moved from tiny tanks to new home
Hugo the Killer Whale 'committed suicide' by headbutting the viewing tank as he endured a miserable time in captivity (Youtube)In August 1860 in Penn Cove, Washington, a horrific capture of five orcas took place including Lolita who was shipped to the Seaquarium and displayed in a newly built "Whale Bowl." Hugo eventually followed and was moved to the thank alongside Lolita where they were made to perform for paying visitors each day.
Man fined £165 after outraging the internet by dying puppy to look like Pikachu
However, according to trainer Mr O'Barry, Hugo would intentionally bash his against the walls of the viewing tank and once broke a nine-inch hole in the plastic - causing the top of his rostrum to be surgically re-attached. Richard O'Barry exclusively told The Mirror: "Hugo the Killer Whale who I was training at the time, he would crash his head into the walls often. He crashed through the glass viewing window once. He finally died of a brain aneurysm from crashing into concrete and glass."
For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US
Hugo was captured and taken to Miami Seaquarium (Richard O’barry)Following 12 years of being forced to perform horrific self-inflicted damage to his head, Hugo died of a brain aneurysm. Remarkably, there was no memorial or plaque placed to remember Hugo after his death at the Seaquarium, according to the former trainer. Mr O'Barry admitted that "his body was taken to the Dade County Dump in Miami" after his remains were thrown into landfill.
It comes as Florida's aquatic theme park received an eviction notice following its latest high-profile animal death of Lolita after years of outrage over their practices. The company has been told to leave the waterfront property it leases from Miami-Dade County by April 21.
Dolphins were made to perform in tiny pools (Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava cited a “long and troubling history of violations” in the lease termination notice sent to the CEO of The Dolphin Company, which owns the Seaquarium. In a press conference on Thursday, Levine Cava said: “They have been the subject of continuous violations, including decaying animal habitats, lack of veterinary staff, and a lack of other experienced staff.
“Our number one priority continues to be the safety and wellbeing of the animals." Earlier this year the county had previously told the park they were looking to terminate their lease following a review from the US Department of Agriculture, who regulate the treatment and care of captive animals like Lolita.
The killer whale was made to perform daily and trained by Richard (Richard O’barry)“The current state of the Miami Seaquarium is unsustainable and unsafe," Levine Cava said before adding they had created "dangerous conditions" for the animals, which in many cases had "resulted in injury".
Eduardo Albor, CEO of The Dolphin Company, expressed appreciation for "the strong support received from our staff and guests who enjoy Miami Seaquarium."
He added: "We are highly confident that all animals will continue to receive top-notch care from the professional specialists at the Miami Seaquarium, as they have since day one under The Dolphin Company's operation and will continue for the remaining duration of the lease."
However, Mr Albor also said he is planning a legal response to the eviction notice. “I will just let my lawyers defend our rights," he said. "I will just let our lawyers defend our rights because it is offensive to speak about my people."
Dog who 'always melts hearts' with his smile hopes to find a loving family
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
