The beloved orca, known as Tokitae/Lolita died in what is thought to have been renal failure the Miami Seaquarium announced. The sad announcement of the orca’s death was posted on the Seaquarium’s Facebook page Friday afternoon:
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 of us who have had the honor and privilege to spend time with her will forever remember her beautiful spirit.
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Toki had spent 50 years at the Miami Seaquarium. The announcement came just days after it had been reported that she had been feeling better and recovering; plans were continuing to return her to her home in the Pacific Ocean.
Officials at the park stated she had been eating well again – 115 pounds of salmon regularly along with herring, capelin and squid. She had also been reported swimming laps in her pool and playing with toys for attention with her caretakers.
Since March, plans had been underway to finally move Lolita to a Pacific Ocean sanctuary in Washington where she had been taken in 1970 when she was about four years of age. For years, animal activists have been engaged in helping the 57-year-old orca to finally return home.
There had been hopes she might even be reunited with her family. Lolita’s mother, estimated to be about 90, is reported to still be alive and leading a pod of whales in the Salish Sea in search for food.
According to the Miami News Times, Sacred Sea, an indigenous-led nonprofit, and the Whale Sanctuary Project had been ready to help transport Lolita to where she lived as a calf. The sanctuary planned to help her thrive in “her natal waters while receiving ongoing human care.” A sea pen had being designed with more than 100 acres of aquatic space and a depth of 54 feet would be enclosed and would include a walkway for staff to provide medical care to captive whales that have been released.
Tragically, Lolita never got her chance to return to the sea.
Rest in peace Lolita.
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Sad beyond words. In Washington state, the general public wanted Toki/Lolita to be returned home years ago. It’s so very sad that she died and didn’t have the opportunity to be with her family in Puget Sound.
I am sure that her family will always remember her and wonder what happened to her…….. killer whales are very smart and they do remember their family members and mourn their loss…….