Alexis Martínez (27 February 1980 – 24 December 2009) was a Spanish animal trainer, notable as the victim of a fatal attack by an orca (killer whale).
[1][2] Loro Parque (Spanish for "parrot park") is a zoo located on the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife.
[1] Regular contact was maintained at several levels, such as remote monitoring capability via Orca Ocean's video surveillance system.
408 The park initially characterized the death as an "accident" and claimed that the body showed no signs of violence, but the subsequent autopsy report stated that Martinez died due to grave injuries sustained by an orca attack, including multiple compression fractures, tears to vital organs, and the bite marks of the animal on his body.
[4] According to an Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Decision and Order in 2012, Keto was not responding to the operant conditioning signals given:[2] On December 24, 2009, exactly two months before Tilikum killed Dawn Brancheau, Loro Parque trainer [Alexis Martínez] was working with Keto, a killer whale owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
Brian attempted another hand target but Keto left control and engaged [Martínez] by pushing him to the bottom with his rostrum.
Keto immediately after taking a breath returned to [Martínez] and then resurfaced near the stage with Alexis on his rostrum and his mouth closed.
[2] During the local investigation into the death of Alexis Martinez it came to light that the park had mischaracterized a 2007 incident with Tekoa, another male orca, to the public by claiming it was an accident rather than an attack.