Read more: Last captive walruses in Canada moved to new SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi Marineland’s owner, Marie Holer, declined to comment to The Canadian Press when reached by phone.The park told the Niagara Falls Review that the killer whale’s health declined recently “despite intensive interventions by her caregivers, Marineland’s veterinarian team and international veterinarians with expertise in supporting the health and well-being of cetaceans.”Kiska was believed to be 47 years old and had lived at Marineland since being captured in Icelandic waters in 1979.She was captured alongside Keiko, who became famous in the movie Free Willy, and the pair lived together for a few years at Marineland in the 1980s.
Keiko was sold to an aquarium in Mexico in 1985 and eventually ended up at SeaWorld.Kiska appeared in shows at Marineland for years but has not performed for more than a decade.
She spent that time in a large pool at Friendship Cove separated from a pod of belugas.Kiska gave birth to five calves during her time at Marineland, but they all died young.She has swam alone since 2011 after SeaWorld won a bitter custody battle with Marineland over Ikaika, a young male killer whale it wanted back.Christine Santos, who trained Kiska for 12 years until Marineland fired her in 2012, teared up as she looked at old photographs of the orca.“I’m in shock, but at the same time I’m just really relieved she’s not alone anymore,” Santos said.Kiska was a calm killer whale and easy to work with, she said.“We just developed a special bond,” Santos said. “She was a good mama to her calves, especially Athena and Hudson.”Kiska would keep an eye on the pair, making sure they didn’t cause trouble with each other or the other killer whale in the.