AN ORCA dubbed the world’s loneliest whale has died aged 47 after living alone for decades in a “torturous” tiny tank.
Kiska, who was captured in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1979 when she was only three years old, died at MarineLand in Canada.
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Kiska was first taken to an aquarium in Iceland where she lived with four other young orcas, including Keiko – who starred in Free Willy.
Shortly afterwards, Kiska was sold, along with Keiko, to MarineLand.
Animal rights group PETA described Kiska as the “world’s loneliest orca” whose life was marked by “tragedy after tragedy” after all five of her calves died before they were seven years old.
Lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, said: “It is heartbreaking to know that Kiska will never have the chance to be relocated to a whale sanctuary, and experience the freedom that she so deeply deserved.
“While no other orca will have to suffer the cruelty of captivity in Canada again, we are demanding justice for what Kiska endured at the hands of Marineland.
“We are calling on provincial authorities to make public the results of a post-mortem, and prosecute Marineland for the unlawful distress Kiska clearly experienced throughout her final years.”
MarineLand said Kiska’s health had declined in recent weeks.
The theme park said: “Marine mammal care team and experts did everything possible to support Kiska’s comfort and will mourn her loss.”
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