KOMPAS.com – A killer whale named Kiska died on Thursday (9/3/2023) at MarineLand, an amusement park in Ontario, Canada.

Kiska is believed to have been 47 years old when he died.

City of HuffpostKiska was first captured in Icelandic waters in 1979 when he was 3 years old with Keiko, the orca seen in the film Free Willy (1993).

Kiska only lived with Keiko for a few years before they separated in the 1980s. He then spent the last 12 years in solitary confinement.

In the wild, orcas are very social animals and develop complex hierarchies within their groups.

In some types of pods, the offspring stay with the mother for the rest of their lives.

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The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals describes Kiska as the world's loneliest orca.

According to the organization, Kiska's life was filled with tragedy after tragedy. All five children died before the age of 7.

“It’s heartbreaking to know that Kiska will never have the opportunity to be transferred to a whale sanctuary,” said Camille Labchuk, director of Animal Justice Canada.

“Kiska should have the freedom she so deserves,” he continued.

Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General spokesperson Brent Ross said the government was informed of Kiska's death on Thursday.

However, groups like Animal Justice say greater transparency is needed.

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“We demand justice for what Kiska experienced at the hands of MarineLand,” Labchuk explained.

“We call on provincial authorities to release the autopsy results and sue MarineLand for Kiska’s misfortune,” he continued.

Although Kiska's cause of death has not been determined, Animal Justice filed a lawsuit against MarineLand in 2021.

At that time, Animal Justice highlighted Kiska's physical and mental health, after images of the orca floating listlessly in his aquarium were released.

Although MarineLand denied any negligence in the matter, a video of Kiska hitting her head against the tank wall went viral in December 2021.

The amusement park has been accused of illegal use of animals.

Niagara police discovered that MarineLand had violated Canadian law ending the captivity of whales and dolphins.

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