A killer whale that was held inside a cramped tank for "five miserable decades" will finally be freed from captivity in a historic deal. Lolita the orca was captured from the waters of Washington in 1970, when she was just four years old, and has been forced to perform for millions of spectators at Miami Seaquarium ever since.
The 57-year-old whale is the oldest killer whale to be held in captivity and was finally pulled from performing after falling ill. It was revealed during a news conference on Thursday that the 7,000 pound ocean beast would eventually be set free at last, the Mirror reports.
The Miami Seaquarium, along with Florida non-profit Friends of Lolita and philanthropist and owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts Jim Irsay, struck a deal to release the whale so she can go to "home waters". Major Levine Cava said the agreement was "historic" and was a great day for Miami. She added: “So many have hoped and prayed for this result for many, many years.”
