On December 24, 2009, 28-year-old orca trainer Alexis Martinez was killed by a captive killer whale named Keto during a rehearsal at Loro Parque in the Canary Islands. The incident shocked many, especially since it happened just two months before a similar tragedy involving trainer Dawn Brancheau.

Martinez had reportedly voiced concerns about the orcas’ changing behavior. According to his partner, Estefanía Luis Rodriguez, he said the whales were becoming “disobedient, disruptive, and aggressive.”

Keto, a 6,600lb male born in captivity and on loan from SeaWorld, attacked during a stunt where Martinez tried to balance on the whale’s back. Keto leaned away and positioned himself between Martinez and the platform. Trainers attempted to guide Martinez to another pool, but Keto refused to obey and instead used his rostrum to push him underwater.Despite efforts to intervene, Martinez suffered fatal injuries. The autopsy reported “multiple compression fractures, tears to vital organs, and bite marks.”In response, SeaWorld paused all in-water interactions with killer whales at its parks.