Aquarium's star whale retired

Animal rights activists campaign against captive whales

A killer whale that has been the star attraction at Canada's largest aquarium for more than 20 years is being retired from its duties.

The ageing whale, called Bjossa, will be moved to a Sea World in America later this year, where she can live with other killer whales.

Aquarium officials decided on the move after their worldwide search for a companion, which spanned five countries and 14 institutions, was unsuccessful.

"Because we promised not to capture from the wild, or cause a whale to be captured, we have decided after 33 years to end the display of live killer whales at the Vancouver Aquarium," said aquarium chairman Dick Bradshaw.

We promised not to capture from the wild

Vancouver Aquarium

The whale's poolmate Finna died in 1997, leaving Bjossa as the last captive killer whale in Vancouver.

The aquarium denies that it has given in to pressure from animal rights activists, who have often staged dramatic protests about keeping whales in captivity in Canada.

'Mixed victory'

Activists are calling the moving of the whale a mixed victory, because it is still being transferred to another captive environment.

The move comes soon after the release of Keiko, the killer whale star of the film Free Willy, into a remote bay off Iceland.

Free Willy star Keiko was freed in March

The 23-year-old whale, which was freed in March, spent two decades in captivity.

Vancouver Aquarium's Bjossa, caught off the coast of Iceland, has given birth three times in captivity. Each time the calves have died.

The aquarium said it would take four to six months for the move permit to be processed by the government.

Mr Bradshaw added: "You don't spend 23 years with an animal as smart as Bjossa and not develop an emotional attachment."