The last orca calf born in captivity at SeaWorld has died

The last killer whale born in captivity under SeaWorld’s former orca-breeding program has died at the company’s San Antonio park.

The Orlando-based company says 3-month-old Kyara died Monday. A SeaWorld news release says veterinarians were treating the calf for an infection last weekend, but Kyara’s health continued to decline.

Coverage of orcas in captivity on Globalnews.ca:

1:04 Last killer whale born in captivity at a SeaWorld park

• Last killer whale born in captivity at a SeaWorld park
• Tilikum dead: SeaWorld killer whale that inspired ‘Blackfish’ dies at 36
• SeaWorld to end captive orca breeding program
• B.C. whale watchers support SeaWorld ending orca breeding program
• ‘We love our whales’: SeaWorld to stop breeding killer whales in captivity

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The release says a veterinary team will conduct a postmortem examination to determine the cause of death. That could take weeks.

SeaWorld announced the end of its breeding program in March 2016 following years of pressure and animal rights protests. Kyara was born to 26-year-old Takara last April but was conceived before the program’s end was announced. Orca gestation can last up to 18 months.

PETA tweeted about plans for a protest at SeaWorld in San Antonio on Tuesday:

SeaWorld has 22 orcas left in the U.S. The youngest, Amaya, was born in December 2014.