So, we're supposed to be shocked – shocked!—when a 22,000-pound orca that twice before killed two humans while in captivity suddenly snatches in its powerful jaws a trainer from a poolside platform at Florida's SeaWorld, thrashes her around like a rag doll and drags her underwater to her death while spectators scream in horror?

Excuse me, but exactly what were you expecting?

Probably more of the cutesy tummy rubbing, nuzzling and loving embraces bestowed on the killer whale named Tilikum ("Tillie" for short") by Dawn Brancheau, 40, whom the park called one of its most experienced trainers before Wednesday's grizly debacle.

The attack at the popular Orlando tourist attraction is the latest in a long line of encounters often compiled into tabloid-TV specials titled, "When Good Animals Go Bad."

The senseless loss of any human life is tragic, but another tragedy is allowing and encouraging SeaWorld and other institutions to pass off as entertainment and education such hideous displays of anthropomorpism.

The Associated Press quoted a SeaWorld spokesman who acknowledged Tilkum had been one of three orcas blamed for killing a trainer in 1991 after the woman lost her balance and fell into a pool at Sealand of the Pacific near Victoria, British Columbia. According to the AP, Tilikum also was involved in a 1999 death when the body of a man who had sneaked by SeaWorld security was found draped over him. The man either jumped, fell or was pulled into the frigid water and later died of hypothermia, though he also was bruised and scratched by the whale.

Because of his proclivity for violence (really, just behaving the way killer whales do in the wild), Tillie had been kept in an isolated tank at SeaWorld and was not part of the park's regular shows featuring marine animals frolicking with wetsuit-clad humans. The attack took place in a special viewing area, apparently for privileged guests who were quickly hustled away as things turned ugly. That must have been some show.

An extensive investigation already has been launched, as has been the case following past fatal attacks at zoos, aquariums, wildllife sanctuaries and private homes involving lions, tigers, chimpanzees, sharks and a veritable Noah's Ark of hapless creatures who inevitably turn on their human tormentors. Among the questions that likely will be asked: Why did such a so-called "reputable" institution as SeaWorld wind up with an orca with a rap sheet? How much did it know about Tillie's past? Why was Brancheau allowed to get so close to the whale, even after it reportedly had been behaving erratically just before the attack, according to eyewitness accounts?

But the real question is, why do people find it amusing to watch a wild animal jump through hoops?

The cynical side of me suggests SeaWorld could really cash in on Tillie's reputation now. Imagine how many spectators would pack the arena if its next marine show featured trainers facing off with a REAL killer whale?