At the beginning of this year, the Miami Seaquarium partnered with animal protection groups to develop a plan for the release of Tokitae, a 57-year-old orca affectionately known as Toki. Tokitae was set to return to her native waters after more than 50 years of captivity in the world’s smallest killer whale tank.
Sadly, Tokitae will never make it home.
A representative from the Orca Network informed Insider that the beloved orca, also known by her stage names Lolita and Lummi Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut, passed away on August 18 due to acute renal failure.
Tokitae performing in her small tank. This orca was held captive for over 53 years, and her story has become a poignant topic for the global animal-loving community.
A representative from the Seaquarium did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment but confirmed the news via a social media post, stating: “Toki has been an inspiration to all who have been fortunate enough to hear her story and especially to the Lummi Nation, who always considered her family… Those who have had the honor of being with her will forever remember that beautiful spirit.”
The Orca Network representative noted that Tokitae “was surrounded by a loving care team and veterinarians who did everything they could to save her after a very brief illness.” “Two days prior, she developed a gastrointestinal issue and was being treated, but today she suddenly suffered acute renal failure and could not be saved despite the best efforts of the veterinary team.”
The long-term captivity of Tokitae has sparked widespread protests and garnered media attention, as animal rights groups advocated for her to be returned to the wild alongside her pod, known as L-pod. L-pod, the largest of three pods in the Southern Resident killer whale population, is believed to still include Toki’s 95-year-old mother, known as L25 or Ocean Sun.
Some people calling for Tokitae’s freedom.
Earlier reports indicated that Toki would receive round-the-clock care until her release could be facilitated within the next 18 to 24 months. After years of suffocating captivity, spending most of her time in a tank measuring only 24m x 10m, Toki struggled with long-term health issues.
Toki was the second-oldest captive orca, surpassed only by a 58-year-old orca named Corky held at SeaWorld San Diego.
Until her final days, Tokitae was still performing. This photo was taken on July 8 at the Miami Seaquarium.
“One comforting thought is knowing that on the day she passed (August 18), when Toki began to struggle and was on her journey back to the other side, her family was offshore west of San Juan Island in a rare gathering these days, with all three pods swimming around the island,” the Orca Network stated. “This is often a cultural/social ritual to mark an important event in their community, and we believe they were welcoming Toki home.”
“Toki has finally returned home, perhaps not in the way we wanted, but her family seems to know Toki is with them again, in ways we may never understand.”
