An animal activist group is once again calling for Marineland to be investigated and prosecuted following the death of its last remaining orca, Kiska.
The 47-year-old Killer Whale, dubbed 'the world's loneliest orca" died at the facility this week after spending 40 years at the Niagara Falls theme park.
While an autopsy will be done, officials say her health had been failing recently.
The average life of a Killer Whale in the wild is 50-90 years.
Animal Justice says Marineland needs to be held accountable, saying Kiska's environment was 'inadequate and unlawful' saying experts say it caused distress.
"Kiska endured a lifetime of suffering since she was stolen from her family as a baby near Iceland in 1979, and sold into the aquarium industry. Kiska gave birth to five babies, all of whom died young. In recent years, Kiska’s plight made global headlines as videos surfaced showing her floating listlessly in a barren concrete tank, and at times bashing her body against the wall of her tank."
Kiska's death marks the end of orca captivity in Canada, as it is illegal to keep whales, dolphins, and porpoises in captivity - however Marineland had a 'grandfather clause' exempting the park's current animals.
“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,” said lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice.
“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.”
Animal Justice supports the Whale Sanctuary Project, which is working to build Canada’s first seaside whale sanctuary in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia.
Labchuk is hoping other whales and dolphins at Marineland will be able to live out of the rest of their lives in a safe environment with more space.
The Niagara Falls theme park has started lobbying the government to sell the park.
Its last remaining walrus, and her baby, were transferred to Sea World in Abu Dhabi last week.