Kshamenk, the last killer whale held in captivity in Latin America, died of cardiorespiratory arrest in Argentina at age 35, Mundo Marino said.
The mammal spent 33 years in a marine park, exceeding the typical life expectancy of male killer whales in captivity and becoming an emblematic case in the debate over the confinement of marine species.
Mundo Marino said Kshamenk died Sunday after a sudden deterioration in its health and that veterinarians and caretakers were monitoring the animal at the time of its death. The park said the cause was consistent with age-related complications.
“Kshamenk was under permanent veterinary supervision, and its death occurred despite ongoing care,” the park said in a statement.
Kshamenk arrived at the Mundo Marino park in November 1992 after becoming stranded along Argentina’s Atlantic coast. Three fishermen found a group of killer whales trapped in a mudbank in Buenos Aires province after pursuing a school of fish during high tide.
According to Mundo Marino, three of the whales managed to return to the ocean the following day as the tide rose, leaving Kshamenk behind.
Specialists determined it was most appropriate for the calf to remain under the care of the park’s team for rehabilitation, as it was in critical condition, showing signs of severe weakness, dehydration and abnormal blood parameters.
Mundo Marino said later evaluations ruled out the possibility of returning Kshamenk to the ocean, arguing that relocation would have posed a serious risk to its life and well-being.
Statements from rescuers and Mundo Marino differ from those of environmental and animal rights groups, which for years have alleged that Kshamenk was captured along with two other specimens.
Some groups describe the episode as the abduction of three killer whales, claiming that one died during transport and another later died after striking the walls of its tank.
For years, Kshamenk lived alone, without contact with other members of its species. In recent years, its situation drew international attention after aerial drone images showed the killer whale floating and circling in a small tank.
The videos went viral on social media and prompted online petitions that gathered tens of thousands of signatures calling for its release and transfer to a marine sanctuary.
Mundo Marino rejected accusations that it profited from the animal’s confinement and said Kshamenk depended on human care to survive, noting that killer whales are highly social animals that live in complex family groups in which calves learn to hunt by observing adults.
Caretakers said Kshamenk became a central part of daily life at the park for decades, with some veterinarians describing the whale as the animal that shaped their careers and professional lives.
Globally, killer whales have been kept in captivity since 1961. At least 166 were captured in the wild, according to records from organizations specializing in marine mammals. As of January 2024, at least 54 killer whales were estimated to remain in captivity at marine parks in various countries.
Other captive populations are concentrated in the United States, with 18 killer whales at SeaWorld parks and China, with about 20, as well as Japan, Spain, France and Russia.
The captivity of cetaceans also includes beluga whales, one of the species most commonly confined in aquariums and marine parks.
In Canada, the case of 30 belugas held at a closed amusement park has sparked a dispute among federal authorities, local governments and animal rights groups, after the government blocked their sale abroad and the park operator warned it could euthanize the animals if it does not receive emergency funding to cover the cost of their care.
More than 300 belugas are estimated to live in captivity in at least 10 countries, with the largest populations in China, Canada, Japan, Russia, Ukraine and the United States.
