‘She was a very playful animal’: Headline grabbing walrus dies at Quebec City aquarium

One of the only walruses to give birth in captivity in Canada has died in Quebec City’s aquarium.

The aquarium says in a statement that 13-year-old Samka died Thursday night.

The establishment says the walrus had appeared unwell for the past few days but they’re not yet sure what caused her death.

READ MORE: First of two pregnant walruses gives birth at Quebec City aquarium

Samka made headlines in 2016 when she and the aquarium’s other female, Arnaliaq, gave birth within weeks of each other.

The aquarium said at the time they were the first full-term walrus babies born in captivity in Canada.

The two young walruses, Lakina and Balzak, were transferred to Vancouver’s aquarium late last year.

WATCH: UBC researchers have been presented a rare opportunity. The chance to study two young walruses from Quebec. Linda Aylesworth explains how the beautiful beasts ended up in Vancouver – and what scientists are hoping to learn.

2:09 Meet Balzak and Lakina the walruses, Vancouver Aquarium’s newest residents.

The director of the Aquarium du Québec says the entire staff was devastated by Samka’s loss.

“She was a very playful animal, to which all our staff was as attached as our visitors were,” Elizabeth Tessier said in a statement.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "She was a very playful animal, to which all our staff was as attached as our visitors were," Elizabeth Tessier said in a statement.

A necropsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.