July 2nd 2024.
Sad news was announced by the Aquarium and Shark Lab in Hendersonville on Sunday. Charlotte, a stingray who made headlines around the world for getting pregnant despite not being in contact with a male of her species for many years, has passed away. The aquarium shared the news on Facebook and expressed their gratitude for the love and support received from fans.
In February, the aquarium, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, made the surprising announcement that Charlotte was pregnant. This news caught the attention of many, including late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel and the cast of "Saturday Night Live". However, in late May, the aquarium revealed that Charlotte was suffering from a rare reproductive disease and they were working to learn more about it.
Despite the efforts of the medical team and specialists, Charlotte's condition did not improve and she passed away. The aquarium shared that they were saddened by the loss and would remain closed for the time being. However, they assured the public that the other animals in their care would continue to be fed and looked after by the dedicated staff.
The pregnancy was believed to be the result of parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where offspring develop from unfertilized eggs. This rare phenomenon has been observed in some insects, fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles, but not in mammals. Examples of documented cases include California condors, Komodo dragons, and yellow-bellied water snakes.
The aquarium's initial announcement in February led to the temporary closure of the facility on June 1st. However, they reopened once it was confirmed that Charlotte was no longer pregnant. This unexpected turn of events captured the attention of people around the world and sparked interest in the rare occurrence of parthenogenesis in stingrays.
The aquarium also shared that while studies have been conducted on southern rays, there is limited research on round rays, the species to which Charlotte belonged. The team at the aquarium hopes to continue learning about these fascinating creatures and the rare reproductive disease that affected Charlotte. Despite the loss, they remain dedicated to their mission of educating and inspiring visitors about marine life.
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