Kiska, Canada's last captive killer whale — also known as the "world's loneliest whale" — died Thursday, the Ontario attorney general's office confirmed.
The 47-year-old orca has spent four decades in captivity at the Marineland Zoo in Niagara Falls since she was captured in Iceland in 1979 with Keiko, the hero of the movie "Free Willy," CBC reported.
Four years ago, Canada banned the breeding and keeping of whales and dolphins in captivity.
However, marine mammals, such as kiska, were already in captivity at the time of the legislation, so their situation did not change.
The organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) said that Kiska "spent her last years isolated, in a small tank, swimming in endless circles, sometimes watching uneasily."
The Whale Sanctuary Project described her as "the loneliest whale in the world".
Both organizations reported that Kiska died of a bacterial infection.
She undergoes a post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death.
Killer whale (Photo: Reuters)
Kiska's life at the zoo was not easy, according to PITA. Five of her cubs died and her tankmate, Akeika, died in 2011. Animal rights activists reacted to the news of the whale's death: "It is heartbreaking to realize that Kiska never had the option of moving to a shelter to the whales, and to feel his freedom she was entitled to," Camille Levchak, executive director of the Animal Justice organization, told the CBC.
At least 55 killer whales are being held in captivity in marine parks around the world as of January 9, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation.
SeaWorld, which includes three marine parks in the United States, holds more orcas in captivity than any other park in the world.
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