SeaWorld Whale Fredi dies after years of health issues

Orlando, Fla. — SeaWorld Orlando is the bearer of bad news that a fellow sea creature that has suffered from years of persistent health problems has passed away Saturday.

Fredi, a pilot whale that had found its new home at the park since 2011 after being rescued from a mass stranding has lived at the parks since a federal agency ruled he could not be returned back into the wild.

Fredi was one of 24 whales rescued from the Florida Keys, and after two months of on site rescue, continued to show declining health, which prompted fans on social media to respond with prayer messages. This is the second time at the theme park that a whale has passed away. Back in January, a 30 year old orca named Kayla died from unknown causes, and the results of a necropsy are still pending.

This means without Fredi, there are now only three pilot whales left at Shamu Stadium.