Aquarium announces that famous stingray died due to mysterious pregnancy

HENDERSONVILLE, North Carolina – Charlotte, the stingray who attracted attention with her mysterious pregnancy, died Sunday.

Team ECCO’s Aquarium & Shark Lab announced the animal’s death on Facebook. Earlier this year, Charlotte went viral after becoming pregnant despite not having a male partner.

“We regret to announce that we have continued treatment with her medical care team and specialist. We continue to work with her medical care team and research specialist,” the aquarium in Hendersonville, North Carolina, wrote on June 30.

Last month, her veterinary team confirmed that the stingray was no longer pregnant, days after it was announced that she was suffering from a rare reproductive disease.

“Our priority is to focus on Charlotte’s health and well-being. We will work with and seek guidance from veterinarians and specialists to better understand this disease and treatment options for Charlotte. Although research on this disease is limited, we hope that Charlotte’s case and her medical treatment will make a positive contribution to science and benefit other rays in the future,” the aquarium said in a May 30 Facebook post.

The aquarium will remain temporarily closed as marine center staff care for other animals following Charlotte’s death.