Canada's Last Captive Orca Has Died At Marine Land

​globalnews.ca/news/9543958/marineland-kiska-whale-dead/

Kiska the Orca, Canada's only captive orca, has passed away after over a decade of swimming alone in her tank and over 40 years in captivity. Kiska has long been the focus of activists who had been trying to free her from the bathtub sized pool she'd been kept in alone for the past 10 years, some even dubbed her the world's loneliest orca. News of her death sent shockwaves throughout the animal welfare community who had mixed feelings about her passing ranging from sadness to a feeling of relief that she was finally free from her solitary captivity. 

I do not own this photo. Photo taken from Global News Canada.

Back in 2019, Canada passed a law that banned the import & captivity of killer whales, Kiska however, was grandfathered in despite evidence that she was showing repeated signs of distress. Marine Land was the focus of many investigations regarding animal welfare, and the continued use of dolphins & whales for entertainment. The Park has always maintained its innocence but videos of Kiska thrashing against the sides of her enclosure told a different story. They told a story about a highly social cetacean that was confined to a bathtub alone for over a decade. Solitary confinement is disastrous for anyone, or anything's mental health and Kiska suffered in her last years alive.

Kiska's story is a painful reminder of Canada's lackluster, feet-dragging approach to animal welfare. Kiska was plucked from her habitat and taken from her pod at a young age, likely causing lifelong emotional distress. She then went on to spend over 40 years in captivity, performing for human patrons as she continued to suffer. Wild animals are just that; wild, and they most definitely suffer when kept in captivity. Her suffering, and her story, remind us that animals are not intended for entertainment, and unless they are being kept captive for rehabilitation or species conservation, should never have to endure a life of captivity.

Kiska is finally free of her life of captivity, and Canada's law banning cetacean captivity means she'll be the last one to endure a life like that. A life spent in a bathtub, confused, sad, and for the latter part of her life, alone. May she rest in peace.

HAPPY VEG