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The Sea World tragedy that took the life of orca trainer Dawn Brancheau continues to wreak havoc on the typically civil world of zoology. Last night on Larry King Live, Jack Hanna once again assumed his position as spokesman for the marine biologist community and, with the help of former Sea World head trainer Thad Lacinak, debated a second round with Jane Velez-Mitchell and fended off some personal attacks from animal rights activist Ric O’Barry. The segment on whale rights more closely resembled a rerun of Crossfire than an Animal Planet special.

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Political discourse is no longer the sole province for spirited and emotional debates on cable news; you can now include the ethical debate over keeping wild animals in captivity. Earlier this week, a Sea World trainer was tragically killed while working with an orca in captivity. CNN anchor Ali Velshi had on guests Jane Velez-Mitchell and Jack Hanna to discuss this calamity; things got really heated.

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This is not a nice story. Fox News is reporting that a trainer at Sea World in Florida was pulled into a tank by Shamu (a killer whale) and killed. Shep Smith reported the breaking story during his Studio B hour – dare I say as only Shep can — and interviewed a man whose family was one of many to witness the accident.