Stingray who became pregnant without male companion dies: NC aquarium

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) — Charlotte, the stingray who went viral earlier this year after becoming pregnant, despite not having shared a tank with a male of her species, has died.

The Aquarium & Shark Lab in Hendersonville, North Carolina, announced Charlotte's death on Facebook, noting that she had been receiving treatment from a medical care team and specialist.

Charlotte went viral in February after her handlers discovered she was pregnant without being in a tank with male stingrays in the last eight years.

“Yes, our stingray Charlotte is about to be a mom!” the aquarium said on Instagram at the time. “Pups are either the result of parthenogenesis or cross mating with a small shark.”

Parthenogenesis is the ability to asexually reproduce, according to Dr. April Smith on her North Carolina Science Trail blog. The mostly rare phenomenon can occur in some insects, fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles, but not in mammals. Documented examples have included California condors, Komodo dragons, and yellow-bellied water snakes.

In late May, the aquarium said Charlotte had developed a rare reproductive disease that has negatively impacted her reproductive system.

The aquarium announced in early June that Charlotte was no longer pregnant. The development led the facility to temporarily close to the public on June 1.

The aquarium says it will remain closed for now while the staff cares for other fish and animals.

The Associated Press and WJW's Laura Morrison contributed to this report.