Stingray Charlotte that became pregnant without a male companion in her North Carolina aquarium dies

A stingray who got pregnant at a North Carolina aquarium this winter despite not having shared a tank with a male of her species for many years has died.

The Aquarium and Shark Lab in Hendersonville said that the stingray, named Charlotte, died after getting a rare reproductive disease. It didn't go into further detail.

'We are sad to announce, after continuing treatment with her medical care team and specialist, our ray Charlotte passed away today,' the aquarium wrote, while also thanking fans for their 'love and support.'

The aquarium, which is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, announced in February that Charlotte had become pregnant despite not having shared a tank with a male stingray in at least eight years. 

A stingray named Charlotte, who became pregnant at a North Carolina aquarium, despite not sharing a tank with a male for years, has died

The Aquarium and Shark Lab in Hendersonville announced that Charlotte died from a rare reproductive disease

Despite ongoing treatment, Charlotte's condition deteriorated, and she was no longer pregnant by early June

The pregnancy made headlines around the world and provided fodder for late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel and Saturday Night Live.

The aquarium said in late May that Charlotte was suffering from a rare reproductive disease, and that it was trying to find out more about the malady.

'There have been studies done on southern rays, but we have not found any yet done on round rays,' it wrote.

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. 

In its post on Sunday, the aquarium said it would remain closed for the time being and that staff would continue to feed and care for the other animals.

At one stage, the aquarium said Charlotte was pregnant with up to four pups but the sonogram (pictured) appeared to show only one. Ultimately none were born

Charlotte draw in visitors from far and wide, capturing the attention of wildlife lovers online

Charlotte, seen in February when she was supposedly 'heavily' pregnant though no pups were ever delivered

Kinsley Boyette, the assistant director of the aquarium is seen posing next to Charlotte

Virgin births occur when a stingray has been in isolation for an extended period and clones itself to produce an embryo

The pregnancy was thought to be the result of a type of asexual reproduction called parthenogenesis, in which offspring develop from unfertilized eggs, meaning there is no genetic contribution by a male. 

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. 

Charlotte became the center of a media frenzy back in February when Team ECCO announced she was pregnant.

Capturing the mood, one commenter wrote: 'We've been catfished by a stingray.' 

However, some accused the aquarium of concealing the truth about her: that she was never actually pregnant, and that it was all a publicity stunt.

The extraordinary length of her pregnancy concerned some observers, who pointed out that something was wrong.

But as is the case with internet intrigue and conspiracy, many commenters were likely swept up in the excitement of feeling like they are onto something.