Jessica Radcliffe orca attack video: Killer whale clip fake, no trainer by that name exists
The clip, which was widely circulated on TikTok, claimed that the ‘23-year-old’ was attacked during a performance. The video also claimed Radcliffe died ten minutes after the staff rescued her. Another video claimed that the attack occurred after her menstrual blood mixed with the water.
These videos, mostly being circulated on Facebook and TikTok, however, do not explain what exactly went down.
Here's a fact-check of if the clip is even true.
Fact-check: Did an orca attack Jessica Radcliffe?
Despite the many videos doing the rounds, there are no media reports on one Jessica Radcliffe being attacked by an orca.
Vocal Media also stated there is a complete lack of credible evidence, like obituaries, marine park statements, occupational safety and hazard (OSHA) reports. Further, the voices in the video appear AI generated, reported Kenya's The Star.
Further, HT.com could not find any marine trainer by the name of Jessica Radcliffe either. She seems to be a fabricated person.
Forbes noted that most AI-generated videos have something that gives them away – one common trick is to look at the fingers, since AI videos have not got the movement quite down yet. The publication also explained why the video still went viral, noting that several studies on why social media videos go viral have shown that people are drawn more to negative news.
Past cases of orca attacks
While this orca attack report is fake, there have been past instances where trainers have been killed by orcas – most notably the Dawn Brancheau case.
In 2010, the senior trainer was killed by Tilikum, the orca, when performing a SeaWorld show in Orlando. Dawn's death became the subject of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which looked at the ethics of keeping larger mammals in captivity.
A year before his accident, Alexis Martinez, a Spanish trainer, was killed when orca Keto rammed into him during a rehearsal.
Back in 1991, a Canadian trainer was also killed after being dragged underwater by three orcas.
Thus, while the viral clips rely on real world incidents to pass off the ‘Jessica Radcliffe’ death as true, there is no proof such an attack took place or that Jessica Radcliffe – marine trainer – exists!
Orcas, known as killer whales, are highly intelligent, social predators found all over the world.
