Internet-famous stingray Charlotte dies of rare reproductive disease, aquarium says

The female stingray Charlotte, who had gained popularity on the internet, after it was announced that she had become pregnant despite being the lone stingray in her enclosure, has passed away from a rare reproductive disease.

"We are sad to announce, after continuing treatment with her medical care team and specialist, our ray, Charlotte, passed away today," Team ECCO Aquarium said in a statement Sunday. "We are continuing to work with her medical care team and research specialist. The Team ECCO family appreciates your continued love and support while we navigate this great loss."

The aquarium added that they will "remain temporarily closed," while their staff cares for other fish and animals.

Charlotte, housed at The Aquarium and Shark Lab by Team Ecco in Hendersonville, North Carolina, captured attention across the U.S., and even had a drink named after her, when Team Ecco announced in February she was pregnant despite being the only female stingray in her enclosure. The aquarium's team initially speculated that Charlotte's case may be a possible "stingray-shark hybrid," as Charlotte was housed with male sharks.

However, multiple scientists quickly debunked the theory, pointing out that it is biologically impossible for such a cross-mating to occur.

"It's just, it's like saying your dog and your cat are having a baby," Director of the Aquarium Science Program at Oregon Coast Community College Larry Boles had told USA TODAY in May on the possibility of Charlotte getting impregnated by a shark.

Later, it was announced that Charlotte likely was likely pregnant via a process called parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction that is scientifically interesting but not uncommon, according to experts.

After the initial excitement subsided, it was learned that Charlotte, who was believed to be pregnant since roughly November, was overdue by nearly a few months in February. Stingrays have a typical gestation of four, maybe five months.

This new development sent the internet in a tizzy once again as experts and those avidly following Charlotte's pregnancy debated whether the news of her pregnancy was a hoax or if the stingray had developed serious health issues, based on the animal's appearance in the videos that had been shared by the aquarium on social media. Concerns had also been raised around Team Ecco's animal care standards and its lack of accreditation.

"First of all, we don't know the animal's ever been pregnant, but it is displaying unusual body condition, even if we're generous," Boles had said at the time. "If the animal was pregnant, it should have delivered, so it's not having a normal pregnancy and it's certainly probably not going to deliver any viable pups. That alone is cause for immediate veterinary care."

Charlotte had 'rare reproductive disease'

After what appeared to be weeks of speculation, Team Ecco had confirmed on May 30 that Charlotte had developed "a rare reproductive disease that has negatively impacted her reproductive system."

"The findings are truly a sad and unexpected medical development," Team Ecco had said in their May 30 post on Facebook.

The facility had said that Charlotte’s health and wellbeing were the priorities, and that veterinarians and specialists were being called in to better understand and treat the disease.

"While the research of this disease is limited, we hope that Charlotte’s case and medical treatment will positively contribute to science and be of benefit to other rays in the future," the post had said.

Team Ecco did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for more information on Charlotte's case.

What is Team Ecco and who is behind it?

Team Ecco is a grassroots program founded and run by Brenda Ramer, a former public school teacher.

According to the aquarium's website, it sees an average of 10,000 visitors annually. It also hosts a variety of education and internship programs in partnership with organizations like the North Carolina Science Network and local schools and tourist organizations.

It was started in a small commercial space and is not accredited by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, (AZA) or similar programs, which generally require rigorous and thorough annual examinations to ensure the quality of any organization putting animals on display.

It is unclear what marine life professionals constitute the Ecco Team. No staffing details nor care team credentials are listed on the organization's website. No specific veterinarian or scientist has been named publicly as working with the organization in recent weeks.