... and so good with their professional handlers.

A killer whale which pulled its trainer to her death at a Florida marine park was probably attracted by her long ponytail, SeaWorld Orlando says.

Dawn Brancheau's hair swung out in front of the orca as she ended a training session at the park on Wednesday and the whale grabbed it.

Her former coach, Thad Lacinak, said she would have agreed with him it was a simple mistake had she lived.