An autopsy confirmed Lolita died of kidney disease and pneumonia

MIAMI, October 17 (EFE) – An autopsy on Lolita, the orca that died after more than half a century in captivity at the Miami Marine Aquarium, revealed that the animal died from “the progression of multiple chronic diseases,” Includes kidney disease and pneumonia.

Toki, also known as an orca, whose captivity has been a subject of debate among animal rights groups, died on August 18 at the Miami Aquarium and his remains were moved to Washington state last September. and handed it over to the local Lumi people. tribe.

Lolita’s death was caused by the development of various degenerative diseases, with clinical manifestations including acute bronchointerstitial pneumonia and renal degeneration, in addition to chronic cardiac disease with degeneration of the heart valves.

“Lolita is one of the longest-lived killer whales ever kept in human captivity, several years longer than the average lifespan in the wild,” the Marine Aquarium said in a press release today.

“We miss her dearly and honor her memory every day,” he added.

Animal rights groups and the Lumi people have been working for years to release Lolita’s home waters, and last August they responded to the death of an orca captured in the area in 1970 and brought to the Miami Marine Aquarium in September of that year. felt regret. Priced at $20,000.

The Miami Aquarium opened in 1955 on an island in Biscayne Bay and was the filming location for the famous TV series “Flipper.”

Until her death, Lolita was imprisoned in a pool approximately 60 feet (18 meters) long and with a maximum depth of 20 feet (6.1 meters) while being prepared for release in the US Pacific waters, where she came from.

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