Kiska, Marineland’s last living killer orcas, was seen at the amusement park in 2012.
Tara Walton/Toronto Star via Getty Images
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Tara Walton/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Kiska, Marineland’s last living killer orcas, was seen at the amusement park in 2012.
Tara Walton/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Kiska, the last captive killer whale in Canada – also known as “the loneliest whale in the world” – has died, according to local media.
Ontario Bar Association spokesman Brent Ross, believed to be 47, died on Thursday. confirm with CBC. Kiska, who has been imprisoned for more than four decades, resides in Marineland, a zoo and amusement park in Niagara Falls, after being captured in Icelandic waters in 1979 with Keiko, movie star, Free Willy, reporting publications.
This information comes four years after the country officially banned the fishing of whales, dolphins and porpoises. the word bred or captive. However, marine mammals, such as Kiska, already in captivity will remain so, under the new law.
Ethical Animal Protection (PETA) says Kiska “spent the last years of her life isolated in a cramped tank, swimming in endless circles or sometimes floating.”
Kiska’s life of constant isolation led the Whale Sanctuary Project to describe her as “the loneliest whale in the world.”
Both animal rights groups reported that Kiska died of a bacterial infection. NPR has not independently confirmed the cause of death. Ross told the CBC that animal welfare officials conducted autopsies of the mammal. Marineland did not return multiple NPR messages seeking comment.
According to PETA, Kiska experienced many difficulties while residing at the amusement park. This includes the death of all five of her calves and the passing of her only tankmate, Ikaika, in 2011, according to the animal rights organization. Footage of Kiska intentionally hitting her face in the tank several times start going viral on social media in 2021.
Animal rights activists have reacted to the news of the death with concerns about the treatment of killer whales in captivity.
“It’s heartbreaking to learn that Kiska will never get the chance to move to a whale sanctuary and experience the freedom she so deserves,” said Camille Labchuk, chief executive officer of Animal Justice. know. told CBC.
There are at least 55 orcas in captivity in marine parks around the world, as of January 9, according to the Whale and Dolphin Conservancy. SeaWorld, home to three marine parks in the United States, holds more orcas than any other individual park.
