SeaWorld Orlando officials announced the death Sunday of a 50-year-old killer whale named Katina.
“Her health had begun to significantly decline as she entered her geriatric years,” the theme park posted on its social media. “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.”
The post stated Katina was known for a habit of sticking her tongue out and enjoyed the “speed swim” that created a cyclone of water.
“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,” the post added.
The orca whale gave birth to seven calves during her time at the theme park.
PETA, which opposes the captivity of orcas by SeaWorld and similar attractions, stated Katina was the 46th orca to die while in the care of SeaWorld, including four of Katina’s offspring.
PETA said Katina was originally removed from the wild in 1978 when only 2 years old off the coast of Iceland, and was one of only three remaining orcas that were captured in the wild still at one of SeaWorld’s parks.
Katina was the only one of those at the Orlando location.
“After being ripped away from her pod in the waters off Iceland in 1978, Katina was confined to small concrete cells for life,” said PETA President Tracy Reiman in an emailed statement.
PETA states orcas can swim 150 miles in a day and live up to 80 years old in the wild.
The organization states more than 500 dolphins and whales have died at SeaWorld.