Miami Seaquarium Famed Orca, ‘Lolita,’ Dies Just As Plans For Her Release Were Being Finalized

Lolita, a star attraction Sea Orca at the Miami Seaquarium, has died. 

Her death comes after plans to have her released in the wild were being finalized.

The killer whale had suffered health problems since last fall. Just before she passed away, there were concerns about her well-being. Lolita started to show massive signs of discomfort, which the medical team tried to treat.

She died on August 18. It is believed Lolita died from a renal condition.

The Seaquarium stopped Lolita’s performances in 2021 due to her tank’s condition, which drew criticism from Miami-Dade’s Unsafe Structures division and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many animal rights groups criticized the Seaquarium for confining Lolita to a small tank.

Aside from Lolita’s renal problems, she also had many other chronic health problems and had some dental work due to tooth pain. Last year, she was reported to have pneumonia but fully recovered. 

In recent years, activists changed Lolita’s name to Toki, which is short for Tokitae. This name was given by Native Americans in Washington State, who were some of the most prominent advocates for her return to the wild. Several tribes in the region were looking to help with the transition to make the return possible. Toki’s handlers in Miami planned to go to Washington State to help the killer whale.

>BEST CONCERT TOURS OF 2023 – SETLISTS & HOW TO GET TICKETS!

One advocate for Toki’s move was Miami-Dade’s mayor, Daniella Levine Cava. In a statement regarding Toki’s death, Cava said: “Alongside the many Miamians who grew up visiting her, the generations of activists around the world that were inspired by her story, and the caretakers who remained dedicated to her health until the very end — today we say our final goodbye to our beloved Toki.”

There was an agreement by the Seaquarium to move the orca once a viable option was found.

Toki is thought to have been 57 years old when she died.