The Tragic Death of Orca Trainer Alexis Martínez

The marine world was shaken on December 24, 2009, when Spanish orca trainer Alexis Martínez died during a rehearsal at Loro Parque’s Orca Ocean in the Canary Islands. The 28-year-old, admired for his dedication to orca care, was attacked by Keto, a 6,600-pound male orca born in captivity in 1995.

Martínez’s partner, Estefanía Luis Rodríguez, recalled that Alexis had expressed growing concerns in the weeks before the incident. He noted the orcas were becoming increasingly disobedient and aggressive, raising fears about trainer safety.

The fatal accident occurred during a maneuver called a stand-on spy hop, where the trainer balances on the whale’s head as it rises from the water. Keto unexpectedly leaned to one side, placing himself between Martínez and the stage, causing unease among staff.

Efforts to redirect Keto using standard signals failed. The orca then used his rostrum, or beak-like snout, to push Martínez to the pool’s bottom, violently toying with him. Despite being pulled from the water, Martínez suffered severe injuries including internal bleeding, organ damage, and fractures.

A post-mortem confirmed Martínez died from “grave injuries sustained by an orca attack.” His death raised urgent concerns about the dangers of in-water work with captive whales.

Following this tragedy, SeaWorld suspended water-based training at its parks. Martínez’s death ignited ongoing debates about orca captivity, animal behavior, and the safety of trainers working in close contact with these powerful creatures.