SeaWorld's Last Orca Calf Born In Captivity Dies

SAN ANTONIO, TX – The last killer whale born in captivity under SeaWorld's former orca-breeding program died Monday at the company's animal theme park in San Antonio, Texas, SeaWorld announced. Veterinarians at the park’s animal hospital treated 3-month-old Kyara for an infection last weekend, but her health continued to decline, the company said in a news release.

"Kyara 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 in a statement. "The heart and support that has gone into caring for her throughout Takara's pregnancy until today has been amazing. As animal caregivers we dedicate our lives to these animals, and this loss will be felt throughout the entire SeaWorld family."

SeaWorld announced the end of its breeding program in March 2016 after years of pressure from animal rights protests and declining ticket sales due in part to shifting public opinion about orcas being kept in captivity.

Watch: The Last Killer Whale Born In Captivity At SeaWorld Has Died

Kyara became the last orca born in captivity at a SeaWorld park when she was born in April in San Antonio. Her mother, 26-year-old Takara, was already pregnant when the Orlando-based company announced that it had stopped breeding its orcas. The gestation period for orcas can last up to 18 months.

"The team’s attention now turns to the rest of the orca pod, especially Takara, to provide the care and attention they need," SeaWorld said in its announcement.

Although the official cause of death has not yet been determined, SeaWorld’s veterinarians identified that Kyara had an infection, likely pneumonia. Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of morbidity or illness in whales and dolphins, both in aquariums and in the wild, the company said.

No other members of the orca pod at the San Antonio park are showing any signs of illness, but they will continued to be monitored, according to SeaWorld.

The veterinary team will conduct a postmortem examination to determine the cause of death. It could take several weeks before results are finalized, according to the release.

SeaWorld has 22 remaining orcas in the United States on display at its Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego parks.

Photo credit SeaWorld