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Cape Town - According CNN, the killer whale at the centre of the documentary, Blackfish has died.
Tilikum, estimated to have been 36 years old, was involved in the deaths of three people including his trainer Dawn Brancheau.
"Tilikum passed away early this morning, January 6, surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care," SeaWorld said on its website.
SeaWorld added: "Like all older animals, Tilikum had faced some very serious health issues. While the official cause of death will not be determined until the necropsy is completed, the SeaWorld veterinarians were treating a persistent and complicated bacterial lung infection."
Tilikum became a part of SeaWorld’s family 25 years ago. In March SeaWorld announced the end of its orca breeding program, effectively making the whales currently at SeaWorld the last generation of orcas under human care.
"Tilikum had, and will continue to have, a special place in the hearts of the SeaWorld family, as well as the millions of people all over the world that he inspired," SeaWorld president and CEO Joel Manby in a statement.
