Tilikum, the world's best known Orca, might be beating the odds.
SeaWorld announced on Tuesday that Tilikum's health is improving following a bout with a lung infection which was expected to be fatal.
Director of Animal Training at SeaWorld, Kelly Flaherty Clark, said that the whale is well enough to take him out of isolation.
"The cool thing is that, as he's gotten stronger, we've been able to re-acclimate him with some of his pod."
Many of you have been asking how Tilikum is doing, so we're back with the latest on the progress he's been making.https://t.co/Z3P6ZLns0h— SeaWorld (@SeaWorld) June 29, 2016
— SeaWorld (@SeaWorld) June 29, 2016
Plans to build the habitat are already underway.
SEAWORLD SAYS 'NO' TO SANCTUARY FOR TILIKUM, BUT SCIENTISTS ARE BUILDING ONE Anyway #EmptyTheTanksNOW #EndCaptivityhttps://t.co/0nSZ0QLiP7— SAVE THE DOLPHINS (@SavetheDolphin1) May 15, 2016
— SAVE THE DOLPHINS (@SavetheDolphin1) May 15, 2016
"The decision to end a successful breeding program or retire animals to sea pens signals a bad omen. Forget the animals in captivity currently; all animals will be in serious danger when we stop connecting with them in zoos and aquariums."
SeaWorld Orca Morgan Is Deaf, Leaping Out Of Tank To Escape Bullying https://t.co/RDPF7go9BZ— Lauren German (@LaurenGerman) June 25, 2016
— Lauren German (@LaurenGerman) June 25, 2016