Lolita, beloved killer whale who had been in captivity, has died, Miami Seaquarium says

 Lolita, the killer orca whale who has been in captivity for at least five decades, has died as officials were preparing to send her back to her home waters, the Miami Seaquarium said in a social media post.

The facility said Toki, who is also known by her Native American name of Tokitae, or “Toki,” had been showing “serious signs of discomfort” over the past two days before she died sometime Friday afternoon.

Lolita is believed to be at least 57 years old, making her the oldest killer whale living in captivity.

She was caught on August 8, 1970, in Penn Cove, Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington when she was about 4 years old. She was later sold to the Miami Seaquarium. When she first arrived, she lived alongside another orca named Hugo for about 10 years, but he died in 1980.

For years, animal rights groups have wanted Lolita moved to “a protected cove sea pen,” where she can be transitioned to the ocean. 

In late March, county officials announced a plan to release her from captivity during a news conference.

“The most important thing is Toki’s long-term wellbeing, and together, guided by the experts, we will continue to do what’s best for her,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at the time. “This is such a special creature who is loved by so many people around the world. So many are concerned about her well-being after decades of being in a small tank. Here we are looking at the real possibility that she will spend the rest of her life in nature’s waters and live freely.”  

Under the terms of the deal, the Seaquarium had approved a “binding agreement” with Friends of Lolita, a non-profit group co-founded by environmentalist Pritam Singh, to free the whale.

Edward Albor, chairman of The Dolphin Company, which manages the Miami attraction, said in a written statement at the time that officials hoped the relocation will occur in the next 18 to 24 months.

The deal to release the whale was underwritten by a “generous contribution” from Jim Irsay, owner and CEO of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, officials said.