Peta sues Miami aquarium to demand release of Lolita the killer whale

Animal rights groups condemn orca's 40 years in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium, leaving her unable to 'carry out virtually any natural behaviors'

Animal rights groups seeking the release of Lolita, a killer whale in captivity since 1970, sued the Miami Seaquarium and its parent company Palace Entertainment on Monday saying her conditions violate the Endangered Species Act.

"For more than 40 years, Lolita has been unable to swim any meaningful distance, dive, forage, or carry out virtually any natural behaviors," said the complaint, filed in the southern district of Florida by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).