Young beluga whale dies at SeaWorld San Antonio

University of Texas football players including Michael Davison, center, and Jackson Jeffcoat, right, interact with Beluga Whales including Imac, left, while senior animal trainer Meagan Medina, stands by at Sea World in San Antonio on Dec. 26, 2012. Players from their Alamo Bowl opponent, Oregon State, also interacted with the whales. less University of Texas football players including Michael Davison, center, and Jackson Jeffcoat, right, interact with Beluga Whales including Imac, left, while senior animal trainer Meagan Medina, stands by at ... more Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Young beluga whale dies at SeaWorld San Antonio 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

SeaWorld faces a new wave of criticism after confirming that a young beluga whale died over the weekend at its park in San Antonio.

In a statement released Monday, the park confirmed that a four-year-old whale named Bella died Sunday morning after a brief illness. SeaWorld said it already has started a necropsy to pinpoint the cause of death, but results won't be ready for several weeks.

Beluga whales live 35 to 50 years on average, a life expectancy that prompted People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to condemn the Orlando, Fla.-based company for Bella's early death.

PETA alleged that more than a dozen beluga whales have died “prematurely” at SeaWorld San Antonio since 1993. Not including Bella, Express-News archives show 12 deaths among several species have occurred at the West Side park since 1991.

“SeaWorld sentences intelligent, sensitive marine mammals to a life of deprivation and isolation in tiny concrete tanks — and this constant stress takes its toll on the animals,” PETA said in a statement.

The park said it was “saddened” by Bella's death, but noted two beluga whales gave birth to new calves last month.

“Both newborn whales are in good health,” SeaWorld said.

Read more about the whale's death on ExpresssNews.com, our subscriber-only website.

nmorton@express-news.net

Twitter: @nealtmorton

Express-News Researcher Julie Domel and the Associated Press contributed to this report.