Free Lolita: Campaigners reveal plan to return orca to ocean after 50 years

The time frame for moving the 57-year-old, 2,267-kilogram orca could be six to nine months or even longer

Lolita the orca is to be returned to the Pacific Ocean (Nuri Vallbona/Miami Herald via AP, File)

A coalition of a theme park owner, animal rights group and NFL owner announced on Thursday that a plan is in place to return Lolita – an orca that has lived in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium for more than 50 years – to her home waters in the Pacific.

“I’m excited to be a part of Lolita’s journey to freedom,” Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said during a news conference announcing the agreement. “I know Lolita wants to get to free waters.”