SeaWorld San Diego Euthanizes Killer Whale Kasatka

SAN DIEGO, CA – SeaWorld is in mourning for the matriarch of the park's orca family. Killer whale Kasatka has died at SeaWorld San Diego, the park announced late Tuesday night.

Kasatka, nearly 42 years old, was euthanized around 8:15 p.m. at SeaWorld San Diego's Orca Encounter facility after a long battle with bacterial respiratory infection, or lung disease, officials said.

"All of us at SeaWorld are deeply saddened by this loss, but thankful for the joy she has brought us and more than 125 million park guests," park officials said in a statement.

Kasatka – a mother of four, grandmother of six and great-grandmother of two – had been treated for lung disease for the past several years. This type of respiratory condition is the most common cause of mortality and illness in whales and dolphins, both in the wild and in zoological facilities, the company said.

Veterinarians checked on Kasatka daily, the company said, and individualized her care, which included using a custom-built inhaler allowing the medicine to go directly to her lungs.

"Despite their best efforts, her health and appetite significantly declined over the past several days despite continually tailored treatments," officials said. "Kasatka’s veterinarians and caretakers made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her to prevent compromising her quality of life."

Kasatka died surrounded by members of her pod, as well as the veterinarians and caretakers who cared for the killer whale, park officials said.

"Today, I lost a member of my family. I have spent the past several years with Kasatka and was truly blessed to be part of her life," said Kristi Burtis, an orca behaviorist at SeaWorld. "Although I am heartbroken, I am grateful for the special time we had together and for the difference she has made for wild orcas by all that we have learned from her. I adored Kasatka and loved sharing her with millions of people. I will miss her very much."

SeaWorld posted a short video tribute to "The Matriarch."

Kasatka's passing comes three weeks after the death of 3-month-old orca calf Kyara at SeaWorld San Antonio — Kasatka’s granddaughter and San Diego-born Takara’s daughter. Kyara was the last killer whale born in captivity under SeaWorld's former orca-breeding program.

Read: SeaWorld's Last Orca Calf Born In Captivity Dies

A veterinary team will conduct a full post-mortem examination known as a necropsy to examine the extent of Kasatka’s illness and how it impacted her organ function, the park said. It may take several weeks before results are finalized.

"Nobody knows more about caring for killer whales than the professionals at SeaWorld," said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "Having the privilege of working with these animals daily provides veterinarians and other animal care staff with the expertise and insight to make very difficult choices, like with Kasatka. Certainly, this was a difficult and wrenching decision, but I have absolutely no doubt that it was made with Kasatka’s best interest in mind.

"On behalf of the entire AZA family, we offer condolences to the dedicated SeaWorld professionals who have loved and cared for Kasatka throughout her life."

SeaWorld said it now cares for 21 orcas at its three facilities, including 10 in San Diego, six in Orlando and five in San Antonio.

At this time, the SeaWorld team's attention remains focused on the rest of the orca pod to provide the care and attention they need, the park said.

"The other 10 orcas appear to be doing well, but we’re monitoring and watching for any changes in their behavior," officials said. "While the loss of Kasatka is heartbreaking for the animal care, veterinary and training teams, as well as the entire SeaWorld family, our focus is to continue the care of the rest of the orca family at the Orca Encounter facility."

Photo: Makani, Amaya, Kalia, Kasatka and Nakai / Credit SeaWorld