The last orca born in captivity has died at SeaWorld.
Kyara was female and was aged just three months
She died on Monday at SeaWorld’s San Antonio Park from an infection – likely pneumonia – a press release from the Florida-based company states.
Trainers had been treating her over the weekend, but her condition worsened.
Kyara was born in April to her 26-year-old mother, Takara. The calf “had a tremendous impact on the entire zoological team, not to mention all of the guests that had the chance to see her,” San Antonio trainer Julie Sigman said.
Kyara was born in April to her 26-year-old mother, Takara. The calf “had a tremendous impact on the entire zoological team, not to mention all of the guests that had the chance to see her,” San Antonio trainer Julie Sigman said.
“As animal caregivers we dedicate our lives to these animals, and this loss will be felt throughout the entire SeaWorld family.”
In March 2016, the park announced the end of its breeding programme: Kyara was conceived before that and orcas are pregnant for up 18 months.
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The release of the 2013 documentary, Blackfish, put intense pressure on the park to stop breeding the sea animals.
Since then, visitor numbers and profits have dropped significantly.
On Monday, Peta weighed in saying: “Forty orcas have now died on SeaWorld’s watch.
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“It’s time for the abusement park to move the remaining animals to seaside sanctuaries before the death toll hits 41.”
SeaWorld has not collected a wild orca in nearly 40 years, and most of its animals were born in captivity.
