Statement by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava on the sudden passing of Miami Seaquarium’s resident orca, Lolita aka Toki

On behalf of Miami-Dade County’s almost 3 million residents, we are profoundly saddened to hear of Lolita’s, also lovingly known as Tokitae or Toki, sudden passing. 

Our shared goal has been to increase transparency, create accountability, and strengthen collaboration at the Miami Seaquarium for the benefit of the animals in their care. We were proud of the immense progress made over the last 12 months, from the successful transfer of ownership of the Miami Seaquarium to The Dolphin Company, the unprecedented collaboration with The Friends of Toki, and the most recent announcement of her relocation to the wild. Our collective wish was to see Tokiin her native waters and we are heartbroken to learn of this sudden loss. 

Alongside the many Miamians who grew up visiting her, the generations of activists around the world that were inspired by her story, and the caretakers who remained dedicated to her health until the very end – today, we say our final goodbye to our beloved Toki.