The Miami Seaquarium has confirmed that Lolita, also known as Tokitae, a captive orca, passed away on Friday as a result of renal disease.
The well-known orca had been exhibiting severe pain symptoms for the previous two days, and the Miami Seaquarium revealed that her condition was unsalvageable despite the best efforts of her medical team.
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… pic.twitter.com/hx79OhGn2O
— Miami Seaquarium (@MiamiSeaquarium) August 18, 2023
“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,” Miami Seaquarium wrote in a tweet to announce the tragic news of Lolita’s passing. “Despite receiving the best medical attention possible, she died on Friday afternoon.”
Around 6:30 p.m., a white sheet was placed over the dead orca inside the tank. She appeared to be about to be removed from the area by a crane.
Who was Lolita aka Toki?
Lolita, also referred to as Toki, was a killer whale. In 1970, the whale was captured. She was a popular tourist attraction at Miami’s Virginia Key for many years, entertaining crowds in the same tank.
The Miami Seaquarium announced the 57-year-old orca’s retirement last year, but she continued to reside in the tank, which was 80 feet long and 35 feet wide.
Lolita passed away just a few days after the Seaquarium reported that her condition was getting better and stabilizing. To return her to the Pacific, where she belonged originally, plans were being made.
According to reports, Lolita was displaying positive signs, such as a voracious appetite for up to 115 pounds of various seafood every day, including salmon, herring, capelin, and squid. She was actively swimming, playing with toys, and trying to get the attention of her trainers.
Notably, recent extensive renovations at the pool where Lolita lived cost roughly $500k. The installation of new chillers, filter media, an ozone generator to replace chlorine, additional regulators, and pumps were among these improvements, according to the authorities.
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