Orca Lolita, which weighs 2 tons, will be released in the Pacific Ocean after 52 years of living in captivity. She currently lives at the Miami Aquarium.
Lolita is one of the orcas that inhabit the Miami Seaquarium, or Miami Aquarium. The 57-year-old dolphin, which has lived in captivity for more than half a century, will be freed and released into the waters of the Pacific Ocean, environmental authorities communicated last Thursday.
The animal weighing 2,268 kg was caught in the 1970 year in a bay near Seattle, Washington state. The Miami Seaquarium has reached a “binding agreement” with the nonprofit Friends of Lolita to return the orca to the ocean within two years.
Lolita orca rescue
The news of Lolita’s release is a victory after years of struggle. The first step in the big change from Tokitae, the Native American name for the animal, nicknamed Toki, was the change of ownership of the aquarium where she lives to The Dolphin Company. In partnership with Friends of Lolita, the duo provided medical care for the animal.
The Dolphin Company is an operator of the park. On their website we can read about some of their dating. “We help preserve our planet and take care of wildlife through research, education and our rescue centers.”
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. was the former owner of the Miami Seaquarium. In 2016 the company ended the killer whale shows. Lolita was one of the main attractions of the shows that took place in the parks. In fact, his retirement took place in 2022, with the change of administration of the restaurant.
“Finding a better future for Lolita is one of the reasons that motivated us to acquire the Miami Seaquarium”Eduardo Albor, chief executive officer of Dolphin Co., said in a statement. The lifespan of an orca is estimated to be 80 years.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
