‘Loneliest whale in the world’ dies aged 57 just months before ocean release

The 'world's loneliest whale' has died just months before it was released back into the ocean for retirement after spending nearly its whole life performing in captivity.

Lolita, sometimes called Tokitae or Toki, lived in captivity at Miami Seaquarium in the US where she performed for more than 50 years after being captured in the 70s before passing away on Friday (August 18).

The whale, aged 57, was due to be released back into the ocean in the coming months for retirement after years of campaign work to see her freed, but died from possible kidney failure before it could happen.

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Miami Seaquarium said Lolita, who was the star of the aquarium, received the "best possible care" until the end after showing signs of discomfort in recent days.

In a statement the seaquarium said: "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."

Lolita was once called the loneliest orca in the world after being removed from the waters of Washington in 1970 when she was four-years-old.

There have long been protests against Lolita's conditions in captivity, including the size of her 80-foot long and 35-foot wide tank, the smallest of its kind in the US.

Just ten years after Lolita arrived at the aquarium, her companion Hugo died of an aneurysm that was caused by repeated head trauma, giving her the title of the world's loneliest whale.

Lolita was the oldest whale in captivity at age 56 and performed until 2022 when she was finally retired after falling ill.

In March, it was announced she would finally be released and eased back into the wild after campaigns to free her.

These campaigns were given an extra boost by the popular Black Fish documentary which details the strain the whales are put through in captivity.

Animal rights activists have long demanded the whale be returned to the wild as she's suffered "five miserable decades in a cramped tank," said PETA.

Capturing orcas was legal in the 1970s, but after a series of protests over hunters working to capture orcas from their mothers, Washington later banned the practice.

On average, orcas in captivity only live until around 45 years old.

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