Lolita the orca will be released into the Pacific Ocean after spending nearly 50 years in the Miami Seaquarium.

 

Lolita the orca will be released into the Pacific Ocean after spending nearly 50 years in the Miami Seaquarium.  Aquarium officials said they will soon start preparations to return Lolita to her "home waters" in the Pacific Northwest. Lolita, originally named Tokitae, was captured off the Pacific coast near Seattle at the age of 4. She is the oldest orca to be held in captivity. Last spring, after reaching a deal with federal regulators, Seaquarium agreed that Lolita will stop performing in shows in front of spectators. Animal rights groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) pressured the Seaquarium to release Lolita into the wild. The Florida-based nonprofit Friends of Lolita will relocate the whale, thanks in part to funding from Jim Irsay, the owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The organization plans to build an ocean sanctuary with netting where Lolita will receive care from trainers.