CNN
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Lolita, an orca whale, passed away on Friday afternoon at the Miami Seaquarium where she had been held in captivity since 1970.
According to an Instagram post from the Miami Seaquarium, Lolita had been showing signs of discomfort in recent days. Despite immediate and aggressive medical treatment, she succumbed to what is believed to be a renal condition.
In a statement, the Miami Seaquarium referred to Lolita, also known as Toki or Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut, as an inspiration and emphasized her significance to the Lummi Nation, a Native American tribe residing in the region where she was captured.
At the age of 57, Lolita was scheduled to be released back into the ocean. Plans were in place to return her to the waters off Washington state, where her family still resides. Her release aimed to rectify the practice of keeping whales in captivity and reunite her with her 95-year-old mother.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed profound sadness over Lolita’s passing and acknowledged the impact she had on the local community and activists worldwide.
Mayor Levine Cava bid a final farewell to Toki and reiterated the collective desire to witness her return to her natural habitat, emphasizing the heartbreak caused by her sudden demise.
Eduardo Albor, CEO of The Dolphin Company, shared his sorrow over Lolita’s death, appreciating the efforts made to provide her with opportunities and expressing genuine sadness over the loss.
In a social media post, Albor highlighted that every effort made to improve Lolita’s life was not in vain and mourned the loss deeply.
Advocates for animal welfare, Lummi elders, and the non-profit organization Friends of Toki had been advocating for Lolita’s release. The issue of keeping whales in captivity has received increased scrutiny, and Sacred Sea, a Lummi advocacy group, expressed their commitment to caring for Lolita as a member of their family and called for her release back to the Salish Sea.
Lolita, captured in 1970 off the Pacific Northwest, was one of the oldest orcas in captivity and the only remaining orca caught in US waters. After ceasing public performances in 2022, she lived in a tank measuring 80 feet by 35 feet.
Friends of Toki had been collaborating with the Miami Seaquarium to prepare Lolita for her return to the ocean, with veterinary specialists regularly monitoring her health. The last health report described her condition as relatively stable, but experiencing abdominal discomfort. The aquarium confirmed her stability on August 15.
Both the Miami Seaquarium and Friends of Toki provided medical treatment to Lolita before her passing.
CNN has reached out to Friends of Toki for a statement.
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