Lolita, a whale in Miami Seaquarium who had a huge fan following has died. News reports in US media have said that the Orca died due to an unspecified ailment related to kidneys. She was soon to be released in her home habitat.

Lolita was also known as Tokitae and Toki. She was captured in 1970 off the Washington state coast. She was to be returned to her home habitat of Puget Sound. It is an estuary on northwestern US coast.

The news of her death was announced by Friends of Toki, a nonprofit which was taking care of her along with the aquarium.

“Despite receiving the best possible medical care, she passed away Friday afternoon from what is believed to be a renal condition,” Friends of Toki said in a statement as quoted by NBC News.

Lolita was believed to be 57-year-old. Friends of Toki said that she was showing "signs of discomfort" for the last few days.

Her condition was reportedly assessed by two veterinarians on July 31. The experts noted that she was "still fighting infection". They observed that the whale suffered abdominal discomfort. In addition she had a lesion on a lung. it has been reported that the infection was described as "chronic pulmonary infection" in a July 12 Friends of Toki update.

“Toki was an inspiration to all who had the fortune to hear her story and especially to the Lummi nation that considered her family," Friends of Toki said. "Those of us who have had the honor and privilege to spend time with her will forever remember her beautiful spirit."

NBC reported that Lolita had health issues in the last few years. She was kept on daily antibiotics. Vets were taking care of her. She was monitored daily in her aquatic environment in the aquarium. Chillers were used to keep the otherwise tropical water cold.

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Lolita, a whale in Miami Seaquarium who had a huge fan following has died. News reports in US media have said that the Orca died due to an unspecified ailment related to kidneys.

Lolita, a whale in Miami Seaquarium who had a huge fan following has died. News reports in US media have said that the Orca died due to an unspecified ailment related to kidneys. She was soon to be released in her home habitat. Lolita was also known as Tokitae and Toki. She was captured in 1970 off the Washington state coast. She was to be returned to her home habitat of Puget Sound. It is an estuary on northwestern US coast. The news of her death was announced by Friends of Toki, a nonprofit which was taking care of her along with the aquarium. “Despite receiving the best possible medical care, she passed away Friday afternoon from what is believed to be a renal condition,” Friends of Toki said in a statement as quoted by NBC News. Lolita was believed to be 57-year-old. Friends of Toki said that she was showing "signs of discomfort" for the last few days. Her condition was reportedly assessed by two veterinarians on July 31. The experts noted that she was "still fighting infection". They observed that the whale suffered abdominal discomfort. In addition she had a lesion on a lung. it has been reported that the infection was described as "chronic pulmonary infection" in a July 12 Friends of Toki update. “Toki was an inspiration to all who had the fortune to hear her story and especially to the Lummi nation that considered her family," Friends of Toki said. "Those of us who have had the honor and privilege to spend time with her will forever remember her beautiful spirit." NBC reported that Lolita had health issues in the last few years. She was kept on daily antibiotics. Vets were taking care of her. She was monitored daily in her aquatic environment in the aquarium. Chillers were used to keep the otherwise tropical water cold. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US: Lolita, the famous orca whale in Miami, dies ahead of her release

A Florida aquarium has decided to release a large killer whale held in captivity for more than 50 years. The aquarium has reached a deal with animal welfare advocates to release Lolita, a 5000-pound (2,268 kg) killer whale on Thursday. Lolita, also known by her Native American name Tokitae, is being returned to the ocean after a 2013 documentary highlighted her plight in captivity.&nbsp;

The aquarium named Miami Seaquarium said it had reached a ‘binding agreement’ with the nonprofit Friends of Lolita to return the whale to an ocean habitat in the Pacific Northwest within two years. Her plight was widely publicised in the 2013 documentary called Blackfish, which highlighted the captivity of orcas.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/schengen-visa-procedure-to-get-fully-digitised-heres-what-will-change-577591">Schengen visa procedure to get fully digitised, here's what will change</a>

The orca, aged 57, retired from performances last year when ownership of the aquarium was changed. She was captured at the age of four in 1970 from a cove off Seattle. She then spent decades performing for paying crowds before falling severely ill.&nbsp;

Her mother orca, called Ocean Sun continues to swim free with other members of their clan, known as L pod and is estimated to be more than 90 years old now.&nbsp;

The process to return Lolita to her home was a long and dreadful one, beginning with the transfer of the aquarium’s ownership to The Dolphin Co, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a news conference. The company later partnered with a non-profit organisation to provide medical care to the whale.&nbsp;

Animal rights advocates for years fought unsuccessfully in court to obtain Lolita's freedom after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration added orcas to the endangered species list in 2015. Killer whales are highly social mammals that have no natural predators and can live up to over 80 years.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Whales help store planet-heating carbon emissions

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“It’s a step toward restoring our natural environment, fixing what we’ve messed up with exploitation and development,” said Howard Garrett, president of the board of the advocacy group Orca Network, based on Washington state’s Whidbey Island.

“I think she’ll be excited and relieved to be home - it’s her old neighbourhood.”

The process to return Lolita to her natural habitat will require federal approval and her release could take 18 to 24 months and the cost could reach $ 20 million.&nbsp;

The plan is to transport Lolita by plane to an ocean sanctuary in the waters between Washington and Canada, where she will initially swim inside a large net while trainers and veterinarians teach her how to catch fish.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Florida aquarium has decided to release a large killer whale held in captivity for more than 50 years. The aquarium has reached a deal with animal welfare advocates to release Lolita, a 5000-pound (2,268 kg) killer whale on Thursday.

A Florida aquarium has decided to release a large killer whale held in captivity for more than 50 years. The aquarium has reached a deal with animal welfare advocates to release Lolita, a 5000-pound (2,268 kg) killer whale on Thursday. Lolita, also known by her Native American name Tokitae, is being returned to the ocean after a 2013 documentary highlighted her plight in captivity. The aquarium named Miami Seaquarium said it had reached a ‘binding agreement’ with the nonprofit Friends of Lolita to return the whale to an ocean habitat in the Pacific Northwest within two years. Her plight was widely publicised in the 2013 documentary called Blackfish, which highlighted the captivity of orcas. Also Read | Schengen visa procedure to get fully digitised, here's what will change The orca, aged 57, retired from performances last year when ownership of the aquarium was changed. She was captured at the age of four in 1970 from a cove off Seattle. She then spent decades performing for paying crowds before falling severely ill. Her mother orca, called Ocean Sun continues to swim free with other members of their clan, known as L pod and is estimated to be more than 90 years old now. The process to return Lolita to her home was a long and dreadful one, beginning with the transfer of the aquarium’s ownership to The Dolphin Co, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a news conference. The company later partnered with a non-profit organisation to provide medical care to the whale. Animal rights advocates for years fought unsuccessfully in court to obtain Lolita's freedom after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration added orcas to the endangered species list in 2015. Killer whales are highly social mammals that have no natural predators and can live up to over 80 years. Watch | WION Climate Tracker: Whales help store planet-heating carbon emissions × “It’s a step toward restoring our natural environment, fixing what we’ve messed up with exploitation and development,” said Howard Garrett, president of the board of the advocacy group Orca Network, based on Washington state’s Whidbey Island. “I think she’ll be excited and relieved to be home - it’s her old neighbourhood.” The process to return Lolita to her natural habitat will require federal approval and her release could take 18 to 24 months and the cost could reach $ 20 million. The plan is to transport Lolita by plane to an ocean sanctuary in the waters between Washington and Canada, where she will initially swim inside a large net while trainers and veterinarians teach her how to catch fish. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Florida aquarium to release oldest orca, Lolita after more than 50 years in captivity

Reports say killer whale Hugo kept at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida decades ago reportedly died after suffering from brain aneurysm while ramming against the aquarium's enclosure since it was unhappy in captivity.

The famous orca had died on March 4, 1980, in the Florida aquarium. According to the Dolphin Project, Hugo was held in a "tiny pool" and stayed in the enclosure for two years and later moved into the tank alongside another whale Lolita.

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The Dolphin Project said Hugo would "regularly and intentionally" bash his head against the walls of the tank even as the two orcas shared the seaquarium’s spotlight.

The act was an apparent suicide bid by the whale held at the&nbsp;seaquarium.

After 12 years of "performances and repeated brutal, self-inflicted damage to his head, Hugo died", it added.

Animal rights activists had earlier protested against Lolita's continued presence at the aquarium for the past 51 years. Lolita&nbsp;had arrived at Miami's seaquarium in 1970.

Lolita now 55 has reportedly been confined in a pool which activists say is too small.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Reports say killer whale Hugo kept at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida decades ago reportedly died after suffering from brain aneurysm while ramming against the aquarium's enclosure since it was unhappy in captivity.

Reports say killer whale Hugo kept at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida decades ago reportedly died after suffering from brain aneurysm while ramming against the aquarium's enclosure since it was unhappy in captivity. The famous orca had died on March 4, 1980, in the Florida aquarium. According to the Dolphin Project, Hugo was held in a "tiny pool" and stayed in the enclosure for two years and later moved into the tank alongside another whale Lolita. Watch: The Dolphin Project said Hugo would "regularly and intentionally" bash his head against the walls of the tank even as the two orcas shared the seaquarium’s spotlight. The act was an apparent suicide bid by the whale held at the seaquarium. After 12 years of "performances and repeated brutal, self-inflicted damage to his head, Hugo died", it added. Animal rights activists had earlier protested against Lolita's continued presence at the aquarium for the past 51 years. Lolita had arrived at Miami's seaquarium in 1970. Lolita now 55 has reportedly been confined in a pool which activists say is too small. (With inputs from Agencies)

Tragic death of killer whale Hugo who bashed head against tank walls