Story highlights Maris, 21, showed no signs of illness before her death

"This is a case of sudden, acute animal death," chief vet says

Atlanta (CNN) A beloved female beluga whale has died suddenly at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

Maris, 21, showed no signs of illness before her death Thursday, the aquarium said in a statement.

She ate and interacted normally with Grayson and Qinu, the other two beluga whales at the aquarium.

"This is a case of sudden, acute animal death," said Dr. Gregory Bossart, chief vet at the Georgia Aquarium.

An autopsy is underway.

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