Necropsy to be performed on pilot whale following death at SeaWorld San Diego

A female pilot whale believed to be one of the oldest of her species to be kept in captivity has died at SeaWorld San Diego.

“Bubbles”, who is believed to have been in her early to mid-50s, died after nearly 30 years at the park.

The exact date of the 1.4 tonne whale’s death has not been released, however a necropsy will be performed to investigate the cause of her death.

“While Bubbles will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, she has helped generations of park visitors gain a better appreciation for all animals and the ocean environment,” SeaWorld said in a statement online.

Estimated to have entertained more than 100 million guests over almost 50 years, Bubbles had been previously referred to as the “grande dame” of SeaWorld, celebrated for her “impressive air spin” manoeuvre.

Bubbles’ death comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the marine mammal park’s public exhibition of animals.

Back in March, SeaWorld announced it would no longer be breeding killer whales in captivity.

Pilot whales like Bubbles are typically smaller than killer whales and are distinguished by curving mouthlines that appear to smile.