Charlotte, a stingray at the Aquarium and Shark Lab by Team ECCO in Hendersonville, North Carolina, has passed away after a unique pregnancy involving potential parthenogenesis. Her story captured media attention and sparked interest in a rare reproductive phenomenon.
Charlotte, a stingray at the Aquarium and Shark Lab by Team ECCO in Hendersonville, North Carolina, has died following a rare reproductive disease. Charlotte’s pregnancy made headlines after the aquarium announced in February that she had become pregnant despite not having shared a tank with a male stingray for at least eight years.
The aquarium suggested parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction, as a possible cause. This phenomenon occurs in some insects, fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles, but not mammals. However, no pups were delivered, and by early June, Charlotte was no longer pregnant.
The aquarium temporarily closed to the public on June 1, and Charlotte’s passing was confirmed in a Facebook post on a Sunday. The aquarium expressed gratitude to fans for their support and announced continued care for other animals.
During her supposed pregnancy, Charlotte garnered significant media attention and visitor interest. Speculations and conspiracy theories circulated online about her condition. Stingray pregnancies through parthenogenesis remain a rare occurrence, contributing to the fascination surrounding Charlotte’s story.
