San Antonio, Texas – This week, Seaworld San Antonio announced the death of Martha, a beloved beluga whale who had resided at the park since 1988. According to Seaworld, Martha was 40 years old when she died.
The park refers to Martha as “family,” writing:
She was family, and her legacy lives on through all she inspired. Our dedicated animal care staff will continue to provide the highest level of care for the eight other belugas in our care.
Adding:
Martha inspired millions of guests and served as an ambassador for her species, helping foster a deeper appreciation for marine life and ocean conservation. She also played an important social role within her pod and helped shape generations of animal care specialists.
Beluga whales typically live 35 to 50 years in the wild. Some are believed to have lived as long as 60 to 70 years based on their tooth growth layer analysis. Females tend to live slightly longer than males.
In captivity, lifespans have historically been shorter, though improved care has extended survival in some facilities. Belugas are considered long-lived marine mammals, and because they reproduce slowly (females give birth about every 3 years), population recovery from threats like pollution, ship traffic, and habitat loss can take decades.
Rest easy Martha.
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