Overview

• SeaWorld San Antonio announced on June 19 that Kamea, its youngest orca at 11 years old, died after contracting an illness the park has not identified
• Kamea was born at the Texas park and is survived by her mother, Takara, her sister Sakari and two other male orcas in the same pod
• The park praised Kamea’s playful spirit and said veterinary teams worked around the clock to try to save her
• Former trainers and park visitors took to social media to share heartfelt memories and express condolences
• Kamea’s death underscores concerns over the shorter lifespans of captive orcas and recalls SeaWorld’s 2016 pledge to end orca breeding