46th orca death at SeaWorld
Another orca held in captivity by SeaWorld has died.
Katina, who had been kept at SeaWorld Orlando for more than four decades passed away at the approximate age of 50 on December 20–21 following a sudden decline in her health. She becomes the 46th orca to die at a SeaWorld facility.
Katina was captured and taken from her family in Iceland in October 1978 when she was still a young calf. After a period of holding in Iceland, she was sold to Marineland Canada. In 1979, she was transferred to SeaWorld and where she was moved between parks before finally being transferred to SeaWorld Orlando in 1984.
During her 47 years in captivity, Katina spent most of her life performing in shows for public entertainment. She became the most prolific orca mother in captivity, giving birth to seven calves, only three of which survive today. She outlived at least twelve of her descendants.
After decades confined to life in a tank, Katina’s suffering is now over.
WDC is working tirelessly to ensure that the current generation of whales and dolphins held in captivity is the last – through bans on breeding and wild captures. Alternative living conditions must be created for the remaining individuals by ending shows and considering placement in marine sanctuaries. Unfortunately, in most cases it is no longer possible to successfully release whales and dolphins held captive for so long back into the wild.
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