An Orca being fed. From Wikimedia Commons.

Tragedy struck at Sea World this week, as 40 year old trainer Dawn Brancheau was attacked by Tilikum, an Orca who resides at Sea World Orlando.  According to eyewitness statements, the whale seized Brancheau, thrashing her about and then dragged her into the tank where she drowned.  She was 40 years old.  When people go to Sea World, this was not what they were paying for, to say the least.  One hopes her loved ones can find some measure of peace in the wake of this event.

Where does Shamu fit into this?

Well, sometimes one has to remember that not every0ne on the internet is exactly up to date.  Each of the three Sea Worlds in Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio, calls whales Shamu,  after the whale that brought Sea World a lot of attention.  Shamu, originally, was a female Orca captured in Puget Sound in 1965 and placed in Sea World San Diego from then until her death in 1971.  Shamu herself wasn’t exactly the warm and fuzzy type, nearly killing one of her handlers.  The actual Shamu has been deceased for over three decades.

Tilikum

Tilikum is a large male, and at 22 feet in length and 12,300 pounds, he is the largest captive bull Orca on record.  He was involved in the death of a trainer at his previous home at Sealand around Victoria, British Columbia in 1991.  After that he was transferred to Sea World Orlando, and 8 years after the move, a transient man who had eluded park security was found dead in Tilikum’s tank.  He had been bitten, though it is assumed he died of hypothermia or drowning, not related to the whale. The incident that claimed the life of Dawn Brancheau was confirmed by numerous eyewitnesses and was not an accident – she was seized and pulled into the water. The attack appears to have been deliberate.

Free Willy not exactly true to life

Orcas, or as they are also known Killer Whales (a sobriquet they’ve earned), are apex predators.  The largest of the dolphin species, their usual size is up to or over 20 feet in length, and weighing in over several tons, with a lifespan up to 50 years or more.  Sometimes referred to as wolves of the sea, they hunt in packs, feeding on fish, sea lions, seals, and sharks.  They will also hunt juvenile whales of other species, by separating it from it’s mother and surrounding it so that it can’t surface, drowning their victims.  Regardless of any tricks you might have seen one do or movies you may have seen, they are dangerous.

The current economy is a troubling thing, and a lot of people are worried they’ll have to start getting payday loans to cover the most basic of costs, or cut almost all spending entirely.  The good news is that there are ways to save on just about anything.

Typically, one of the industries that are more or less recession-proof is recreation. Cinema revenue hasn’t yet been down this year, in spite of the worst recession in living memory. There’s been a cash crunch in nearly every other major industry. Some industries like retail and manufacturing have been laying off workers by the bushel.  Some people worry that the annual vacation is going to have to be canceled. You don’t necessarily have to cancel that vacation – you may only have to  change destination and theme.

A wealth of options for recreational travel may just be closer than you think

In the current economic climate, it may indeed be prudent to cancel the plans for a family flight out to California to go the beach, Disneyland and Sea World.  There are plenty of other recreation options available to you that are economical, just as fun, and can even be educational if done right.

For those of us who are city and suburb dwellers, we like our major metropolitan areas. The bright lights, the convenience of all that handy stuff, but we often neglect something – The Great Outdoors.  You may not even need a wealth of payday loans in order to go there.  Hiking trips are also great for the family because it can also teach your children about nature conservation, responsibility, and hey – it gets them out in the fresh air and away from the PlayStation or Xbox for a few days.

Turns out it’s a lot cheaper than Disneyland, and the work is done for you

For the cost of the plane tickets for normal travel, you can outfit a family of three or four with enough gear to camp out for a week, in relative comfort.  Also, it pays to do your research. Most state parks with camp sites available have online maps which will tell you which campsites have what amenities and what the fee is for an overnight stay, or if there is one.

Many parks have free campsites, but the site may not have any features to it whatsoever except clearings and fire pits.  Also, there are campsites that are close to national monuments.  Remember to definitely be safe, make sure trash and any and all leftover food is put away and in containers that don’t leak the scent, and leave the camp a little cleaner than you found it.  One of the most aggravating sights for veteran outdoors people (campers and hikers) is to come across a litany of soda cans left behind. You can be fined for leaving trash if you get discovered by a park ranger. Also, be extra sure to extinguish any camp fires.

State parks on rivers often have raft packages and tours that are available for very reasonable rates and many are located around lakes too.  You may not have to drive too far if you look online.

Just remember, if you’ve taken a trip, then found you have some sort of emergency leaving you short on funds, you can get help with payday loans.