Courtney Stodden begs SeaWorld to release orca

Courtney Stodden has begged SeaWorld to release the killer whale they have confined in a tank back into the ocean.

The 22-year-old reality TV star broke down in tears as she starred in a campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) – an animal rights organization – urging the theme park in Florida, Orlando, to free the orca named Corky to a seaside sanctuary after she tragically lost seven of her babies.

Speaking in the campaign, Courtney – who suffered a miscarriage of her own earlier this year – said: "The feeling of losing a child is one that no mother should ever have to experience. That’s why it breaks my heart to think of Corky–an orca who has lost all seven of her babies, the last of whom was found floating lifeless at the bottom of a tank at SeaWorld.

"Corky has endured the loss of family eight times, starting when she was forcibly taken from the ocean from her mother and sold into captivity when she was very young. For 47 years, she has only known trauma, loss and sadness in captivity within the cramped, chemically treated confines of a concrete tank.

"SeaWorld, take it from someone who has experienced great personal loss. Corky has suffered enough Please, do the right thing and let her go home. The time is now."

Courtney and her husband Doug Hutchison announced they were expecting a baby together in May, but the blonde bombshell was left distraught two months later when she lost it.

Her manager said in a statement at the time: "It is with a heavy heart to inform you that last week Courtney Stodden suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage. Courtney and her husband, Doug, are at an emotional loss for words and are using this time to grieve with their close family and friends."

In order to help her get over her loss, Courtney – who married Doug when she was 16 years old – used a ‘reborn’ baby doll.