Captive Orca Lolita Sick, Meds Keeping 'severe Signs of Illness at Bay'

The famous captive orca Tokitae is battling a chronic infection at the Miami Seaquarium.

Tokitae, also known as Lolita, is one of the most famous captive orcas in the world. The 56-year-old killer whale has lived at the Miami Seaquarium since 1970. She is the last surviving orca out of 45 that were captured and delivered for aquariums between 1965 and 1973.

Animal welfare groups continue to be concerned about Tokitae. Her circumstances have been a controversial matter for years, with many campaigning for her release. One such group is the nonprofit Friends of Lolita, which works with the Miami Seaquarium to monitor her health.

A recent health assessment initiated by Friends of Lolita and carried out by veterinarians James McBain and Stephanie Norman found that the orca "continues to be treated for a chronic infection."

The orca is on antibiotics to treat the infection, according to a document signed by the veterinarians and shared by the Orca Rescues Foundation. The medication also keeps "severe signs of illness at bay."

Other than the infection, the orca continues to be "active, engaged with her trainers" and maintains a healthy appetite. But veterinarians will also start to test Tokitae's hormones to monitor her stress levels.

Veterinarians said in the document that her health will continue to be monitored through laboratory testing to see if anything changes.

"Her therapy will continue adjusting treatments as needed to keep her health on a steady course," the document said.

Experts are also seeking "specialized diagnostic tools" that will further help them monitor her health.

The health assessment advised the Miami Seaquarium to provide Tokitae with plenty of enrichment activities to make her "environment more stimulating." They also advised "designing and implementing upgrades" to her water systems.

There is a possibility that Tokitae will one day return to her mother, who still lives in the wild. Her mother, who is believed to be a 93-year-old whale called L25 or "Ocean Sun," still swims off British Columbia, Washington and Oregon.

In 2021, the Miami Seaquarium was sold to a new owner more open to discussing plans for her release. Animal rights groups also renewed calls for her release after a U.S. Department of Agriculture report last year cited several concerns about Tokitae's environment.

The nonprofit Whale Sanctuary Project has drafted an operational plan for Tokitae's possible return to the ocean.

In August, the Miami Seaquarium told Newsweek that it's "working with Friends of Lolita and independent marine mammal experts to provide the best possible care" for the orca.

Tokitae fell ill in February this year. The Miami Seaquarium confirmed on February 7 that the orca had some abnormal blood work and was feeling "under the weather." But the aquarium said she improved shortly afterward and felt much better.

Newsweek has contacted the Miami Seaquarium for an update on Tokitae's health.

Update 09/02/22 7.57 a.m. ET: The headline of this article has been updated.