Katrina, a killer whale in captivity for most of her 50 years, including 40 years at SeaWorld Orlando, has died. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA

Dec. 22 (UPI) — SeaWorld Orlando announced that Katina, a killer whale in captivity for most of her 50 years, including 40 years at the Florida park, has died.

SeaWorld posted Sunday night on Facebook that Katina died as her health had “begun to significantly decline as she entered her geriatric years.”

Oraca can live up to 80 years.

“Over the last several weeks, our animal care and medical teams have worked around the clock to closely monitor her declining health, and as her condition worsened, the decision was made to prioritize her comfort and welfare,” SeaWorld posted. “Despite everyone’s extraordinary efforts, she passed away while surrounded by animal care and medical teams who have worked closely with her for nearly 40 years.”

Katina performed in daily shows with her “big personality,” and was known for sticking her tongue out and a “speed swim” to create a cyclone of water,” the Facebook post said.

“For many wonderful years, Katina awed and inspired millions of our guests to appreciate and learn more about this amazing species,” SeaWorld said. “This is an incredibly difficult time for those who knew and loved Katina. We appreciate the support of the community as we grieve her loss together with her loyal fans everywhere.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which opposes the captivity of orcas, said Katina was the 46th orca to die while in the care of SeaWorld.

“After being ripped away from her pod in the waters off Iceland in 1978, Katina was confined to small concrete cells for life,” PETA President Tracy Reiman said in a statement. “SeaWorld then used her as a breeding machine and forced her to bear seven calves – four of whom are already dead. She sustained a serious dorsal fin injury from incompatible tankmates she couldn’t escape, and now Katina has died in her prison.”

Katina, who was about 2 when taken, is the only captured orca that is remaining in Orlando, though two others are at other SeaWorld parks, which include San Diego; San Antonio, Texas; and Abu Dhabi. Corky has been at SeaWorld San Diego since 1987 and is about 60 years old.

“Corky and the other orcas still held captive at SeaWorld are also doomed unless they are released now, and PETA is calling on the amusement park to make a plan immediately for them to go to seaside sanctuaries and save them in their 11th hour,” Reiman said.

PETA said more than 500 dolphins and whales have died at SeaWorld properties.

In 2011, PETA filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit in federal court against SeaWorld that alleged five wild-caught orcas — Tilikum, Katina, Corky, Kasatka, and Ulises — were being held as slaves in violation of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

In 2012, a U.S. District Judge dismissed the case, ruling that the 13th Amendment only applies to “persons” and not to non-human animals.

The 2013 documentary, Blackfish, focused on the captivity of orcas and its psychological toll on the animals. It focused on Tilikum, a 12,000-pound bull orca at SeaWorld Orlando involved in the deaths of three people, including senior trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.

Tilikum died in 2017 at the Orlando park at an estimated age of 36.

In 2016, SeaWorld announced it would end its orca breeding program.

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