Lolita, the oldest orca held in captivity, died on Friday — less than five months after the Miami Seaquarium announced plans to release her back into her native ocean waters.
The Seaquarium said Lolita, believed to be about 57 years old, began to exhibit "serious signs of discomfort" over the last few days. Despite medical treatment, the orca died on Friday afternoon after suffering a what appeared to be a "renal condition," the Seaquarium said. The aquatic park was closed on Saturday for the staff to mourn the loss.
