• The Miami Seaquarium introduced plans to return a 57-year-old orca whale to the Pacific Ocean.
• Lolita has been in captivity in the aquarium for greater than 50 years since being captured in 1970.
• After being moved to a pure sea pen, she is predicted to be reunited along with her 95-year-old mom.

A Florida aquarium introduced plans to launch an orca whale named Lolita again into her home waters after greater than 50 years in captivity.

Throughout a information convention on March 30, the Miami Seaquarium introduced its plans to cooperate with the animal-rights group Associates of Lolita and launch the orca, believed to be 57 years previous, again into its home waters in the Pacific Northwest .

Lolita, initially known as Tokita or “Toki”, was captured off the Pacific coast close to Seattle on the age of 4. He’s the second oldest orca whale in captivity, surpassed solely by 58-year-old Corky on the Orca SeaWorld San Diego.

“It’s a very special day,” stated Eduardo Albor, CEO of the Dolphin Firm, which manages the Miami Seaquarium. Said during Thursday’s press conference, “It’s amazing to see how much you can get done in a year when actions take the place of words.”

Orcas can stay up to 90 years, however Lolita’s 95-year-old mom is believed to be nonetheless alive, in accordance to CNN, Following her relocation, it’s anticipated that Lolita can be reunited along with her pod.

“(There) is an opportunity for him to acoustically connect with his family,” stated Charles Winick, govt director of the Whale Sanctuary Venture. WPLG Radio Station,

Lolita has to be taught to swim and fish once more in open water

The whale will obtain “round-the-clock care” over the subsequent 18 to 24 months earlier than its switch, the Miami Seaquarium instructed Insider in a press launch.

At that time, he can be moved to Washington state and positioned in a pure sea pen, the place he’ll get used to swimming in open water. He has to construct up his muscular tissues to have the option to swim lengthy distances, The Associated Press reported.

Jim Irsay, proprietor of the Indianapolis Colts, can be serving to fund Lolita’s launch.

“The story of Lolita the orca has been near and dear to my heart. I am proud and excited to play a role in bringing Lolita back to her native Pacific Northwest,” Irsay stated in a press launch shared with Insider.

On the information convention on Thursday, he stated the price of relocation and launch may attain “eight figures”. He stated the trainers would assist him get used to the open water and train him how to fish.

“She doesn’t know how to do it now,” he stated. “He’s been in captivity for too long.”