Charlotte, the stingray who became famous for her mysterious pregnancy, has died

Charlotte, a female stingray who became famous for her mysterious pregnancy, has died, according to an update from Team ECCO’s Aquarium & Shark Lab.

The North Carolina Aquarium posted the sad news on social media on Sunday evening.

“We are sad to announce that our ray Charlotte passed away today after continued treatment by her medical care team and specialists,” the aquarium wrote. “The Team ECCO family appreciates your continued love and support as we process this great loss.”

The cause of death of the stingray is unclear.

Last month, the aquarium said Charlotte had developed a “rare reproductive disease” that had “negatively affected her reproductive system.”

The round stingray became an internet star and feminist icon in February when the aquarium announced that he had several young, even though he did not share the tank with a male stingray companion.

Many wondered if she had accomplished the impossible and mated with one of the sharks that shared her 2,200-gallon tank, but experts said it was most likely a case of parthenogenesis – when an embryo develops directly from an unfertilized egg.

However, Charlotte’s puppies were never born and it seems that the mystery was never fully solved.

Team ECCO staff said they will continue to work with Charlotte’s medical care team and research specialists and that the aquarium will remain temporarily closed.