Lolita The Killer Whale Retires From Shows At Miami’s Seaquarium

MIAMI, FL — Miami Seaquarium is ending the shows for its killer whale, Lolita, after five decades.

The 56-year-old, 7,000-pound orca will no longer perform or be on display at the Virginia Key marine park, the Miami Herald reported.

The attraction has new owners as of Friday and the U.S. Department of Agriculture transferred the exhibitor license to them under the stipulation that Lolita and Lii, a Pacific white-sided dolphin who is her tankmate, will be taken off display, WSVN said.

MS Leisure, a subsidiary of The Dolphin Company, a Mexico-based theme park operator that bought Seaquarium, is handling management of the attraction, according to reports.

“I’m proud to share that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s report clears the way for the Miami Seaquarium lease transfer to The Dolphin Company! Providing the highest standard of care for their marine inhabitants, including beloved orca Lolita, has been a top priority for me,” tweeted Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I’m hopeful that this transfer of ownership will usher in an era of accountability, transparency and collaboration for Miami Seaquarium. I’m grateful to all those from around the world who helped make this moment possible.”