SCI-TECH

Marineland Canada mourns sudden death of beluga whale

The Canadian Press Published Monday, August 14, 2017 7:20AM EDT Last Updated Monday, August 14, 2017 12:34PM EDT

Tourists line up at a viewing area to see two Marineland attractions, a Killer Whale calf swimnming with its mother and a small pod of Beluga Whales in Niagara Falls, Ont. on Wednesday, July 18, 2001. (The Canadian Press/Scott Dunlop)

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NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. -- Marineland Canada says it's mourning the passing of a "beloved" beluga whale at its facility in Niagara Falls, Ont.

Marineland issued a statement Monday morning saying the whale named Gia died suddenly, and that preliminary results of a necropsy indicate the cause of death was a twisted small intestine that resulted in a fatal blockage.

The statement says Gia was born at Marineland and had appeared to be healthy until her sudden passing. It adds that the young whale will be deeply missed by everyone at Marineland.

It notes that shortly after her birth, Gia's mother stopped nursing her and she was cared for by a marine mammal team that worked with her 18 hours a day until she developed proper eating habits.

Marineland says complete necropsy results will be provided when received.