ORLANDO?SeaWorld said it would resume killer whale shows on Saturday and declared that an orca which killed its US trainer before horrified onlookers was "an important part of our team."

"Tilikum is an extraordinary animal. He is a very large animal. We have the highest standards of safety and the protocols we put in place," Jim Atchison, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment president, told reporters Friday.

Atchison said however that the trainers would not be allowed into the water with the marine park's killer whales until a thorough safety review has been completed and its recommendations implemented.

Tilikum -- the five-ton orca already linked to two other human deaths since 1991 -- grabbed Dawn Brancheau, 40, by her ponytail and dragged her into the water at the end of a show at SeaWorld Orlando on Wednesday.

Atchison, addressing reporters in front of a huge viewing area of one of the orcas' tanks with two of the creatures swimming behind him, said Tilikum, the largest killer whale in captivity, would not be punished or isolated.

"He will remain an active and contributing member of the team, despite what happened," he said, addressing calls for the animal to be put down or released into the wild.

"It's important that I again stress that we provide the highest standard of care and no animal is ever subject to punishment in any form. Tillikum is no exception," Atchison said.