SeaWorld announces birth of its last ever killer whale after Blackfish movie sparked global protests over treatment of the animals
SeaWorld announced in March 2016 that it would stop breeding the creatures following backlash
THE last ever killer whale has been born at SeaWorld in Texas - just over a year after the theme park announced it would stop breeding orcas.
The company said it welcomed its newest ocra when Takara, a 25-year-old orc from SeaWorld San Antonio, gave birth to the calf on Wednesday afternoon.
Its mother was already pregnant when SeaWorld announced it had stopped breeding its orcas in March 2016.
The newborn, which brings the total number of orcas in the US to 23, has not been named as the park's vets had not yet determined whether it was male or female.
SeaWorld said the mother and calf both appear healthy.
Visitors will be able to see the new calf at the orca stadium pool or in two adjacent pool at its San Antonio park.
In a statement, the theme park said: "Although this will be the last opportunity for SeaWorld guests to see a baby killer whale up close as it grows and matures, SeaWorld will continue to care for the orcas at its parks for decades to come."
Chris Bellows, vice president of zoological operations at the San Antonio park said: "This is an exciting and emotional day for us at SeaWorld, and we are all so proud to share this new killer whale calf with the world after a year and a half of planning and observing and providing all the special care."
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SeaWorld, which has parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, decided to stop breeding orcas, and phase out its world-famous killer whale performances by 2019, following animal rights protests and declining ticket sales.
The backlash intensified after the 2013 release of Blackfish - a documentary which criticised the treatment of SeaWorld's orcas, dolphins and other animals in captivity for entertainment.
It focused on the orca Tilikum, which killed trainer Dawn Brancheau in Orlando in 2010, dragging her into the pool before shocked visitors after a "Dine with Shamu" show.
Tilkum, which sired 14 calves over nearly 25 years in Orlando, died of bacterial pneumonia in January.
Spokeswoman Suzanne Pelisson Beasley confirmed birth control and "social management" would prevent future orca breeding.
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