![Miami Seaquarium: Captive orca Lolita dies after 2 days of ‘serious signs’](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="400" height="225"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)
Miami Seaquarium: Captive orca Lolita dies after 2 days of ‘serious signs’
Team uses crane to pull dead orca whale out of tank
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VIRGINIA KEY, Fla. – The Miami Seaquarium announced on Friday that the captive orca whale Lolita, also known as Tokitae and Toki, died of a renal condition.
Over the last two days, the beloved orca was exhibiting “serious signs” of discomfort and her medical team couldn’t save her, according to the Miami Seaquarium.
A white tarp covered the dead 5,000-pound whale in the tank until a crane pulled her out and into a large container. Several people placed dozens of bags of ice into the back of a semi-trailer truck before they placed the container inside and closed the doors.
GRAPHIC CONTENT: Team pulls out Lolita out of Miami Seaquarium tank
The orca was captured in 1970 and performed with trainers as a tourist attraction for decades in the same tank at the park in Miami’s Virginia Key.
The Miami Seaquarium announced the retirement of the 57-year-old orca last year, but she remained in the — 80-feet long, 35-feet wide, and 20-feet deep — tank, which was closed to the public.
The Lummi, a Native American tribe, wanted the orca to return to her native Pacific Northwest. There was a natural sea pen in the waters where her family still swims.
Eduardo Albor, the chief executive officer of The Dolphin Company, which operates the Miami Seaquarium since last year, agreed to the move. They were working with Friends of Toki, a nonprofit organization. Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts owner, had agreed to help cover the cost.
Federal and state regulators still needed to approve the plan.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who was also in support of the move, released a statement after the announcement: “Our collective wish was to see Toki in her native waters and we are heartbroken to learn of this sudden loss.”
This is a developing story.
The Miami Seaquarium’s announcement:
Over the last two days, Toki started exhibiting serious signs of discomfort, which her full Miami Seaquarium and Friends of Toki medical team began treating immediately and aggressively. Despite receiving the best possible medical care, she passed away Friday afternoon ... from what is believed to be a renal condition. Toki was an inspiration to all who had the fortune to hear her story and especially to the Lummi nation that considered her family. Those who have had the privilege to spend time with her will forever remember her beautiful spirit.
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Louis Aguirre is an Emmy-award winning journalist who anchors weekday newscasts and serves as WPLG Local 10’s Environmental Advocate.
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