Tampa (Florida), Jan. 6 (Reuters): Tilikum, the orca who killed several people and was featured in the documentary Blackfish making the case against keeping orcas in captivity, died today, SeaWorld Entertaintment Inc said.

Thought to be about 36 years old, Tilikum drew international attention for dragging a SeaWorld trainer underwater to her death during a 2010 show in Florida.

Tilikum had been experiencing declining health and receiving treatment for a bacterial lung infection, the company said in a news release.

It noted that an official cause of death would not be known until a necropsy was completed.