HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – Charlotte, a stingray from the Aquarium and Shark Lab in Hendersonville, N.C., who became pregnant without having shared a tank with a male of her species for many years, has passed away.
On Sunday, the aquarium shared that Charlotte died from a rare reproductive disease, without providing further details. “We are sad to announce, after continuing treatment with her medical care team and specialist, our ray Charlotte passed away today,” the aquarium wrote, thanking fans for their “continued love and support while we navigate this great loss.”
Charlotte’s pregnancy, announced in February, made headlines worldwide as she had not shared a tank with a male stingray for at least eight years. This rare phenomenon was covered by late-night television hosts Jimmy Kimmel and “Saturday Night Live.”
The aquarium announced in early June that Charlotte was no longer pregnant, leading to a temporary closure on June 1. The facility will remain closed as staff continue to care for the other animals.
Charlotte’s pregnancy was believed to result from parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction where offspring develop from unfertilized eggs, meaning no genetic contribution from a male. This rare occurrence is seen in some insects, fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles, but not in mammals. Documented examples include California condors, Komodo dragons, and yellow-bellied water snakes.
