Associated Press, Texas
Performing killer whale dies in Texas
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A two-ton performing killer whale has died at SeaWorld
of Texas, park officials said Thursday.
Trainer David Force said preliminary necropsy results on the 17-foot-long
whale, named Katerina, indicated she may have died of an infection.
More tests were ordered.
Katerina last performed Sunday. On Monday, her behavior seemed to change,
according to Force. A blood sample was taken and the 10-year-old whale was
put on antibiotics.
The animal died Wednesday night.
``She's been doing shows for approximately eight years. A very dependable
animal. This obviously was a sudden and unexpected situation,'' Force
said.
Katerina had been at the SeaWorld park in Texas for about five years,
after being born at SeaWorld's park in Florida, then sent to SeaWorld of
Ohio, Force said.
© 1999 San Antonio Express-News
(transcript of news release)
