Former veterinarians, trainers claim beloved killer whale Lolita died from neglect: ‘Nobody listened’
Former veterinarians and trainers of Lolita, the beloved killer whale that died on Aug. 18, are saying she was inadequately cared for and fed, which led to her death.
“We’ve been saying for a long time they’re going to kill her at Seaquarium,” Dr. Jenna Wallace, a former vet at the Miami Seaquarium, where the sea creature was a main attraction for 53 years, told the Miami Herald.
“We’ve been fighting so hard to get her the best treatment and get her out of there, but nobody listened,” Wallace said. “It shouldn’t have ended like this. She deserved better.”
Wallace believes Lolita, who was also referred to by its indigenous name Tokitae, or Toki for short, was suffering from dehydration due to a reduction of her diet two years before her death.
The Miami Seaquarium, which is located in Biscayne Bay, disputed the claims.
“Toki’s diet had been rich in nutrients and appropriate for her appetite and the amount of exercise she was engaged in since she retired from daily educational programs,” its owners said in a statement to the Miami Herald.
“This is reported by independent health and welfare assessments by the world’s foremost experts in marine mammal care, highly esteemed veterinarians respected throughout the global animal welfare community.”
After Lolita’s passing, the oceanarium explained that the orca, who was supposed to be released into the Pacific Ocean after more than five decades in captivity, began exhibiting “serious signs of discomfort” two days earlier, according to its Instagram post.
“Despite receiving the best possible medical care, she passed away Friday afternoon from what is believed to be a renal condition,” the post explained.
Her attending veterinarian, Dr. Tom Reidarson, said the animal’s condition was improving up until the kidney issues popped up.
“I think it’s best to see what the evidence from the necropsy tells us,” he told the outlet.
“I believe in the truth, not unfair accusations. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Toki. I knew her well and we gave her the highest standard of care. Now is not the time to throw stones.”
The 7,000-pound, 57-year-old whale was retired in 2022, but still lived in a 20-foot deep, 35-foot wide, 80-foot long tank with a dolphin companion named Li’i.
