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Toothache Closes Killer Whale Lolita Show

KEY BISCAYNE (CBS4) -- South Florida marine super star Lolita the Killer Whale is feeling a bit under the weather.

 The star attraction at the Miami Seaquarium is "being treated for a tooth infection, a recurrence of a dental issue she had in 1994," according to a statement from the popular marine theme park. "The whale stadium at Miami Seaquarium is temporarily closed. Although she is not performing shows, she is eating normally and being treated with antibiotics," said the statement.

Lolita, the oldest killer whale in captivity, was born around 1966. She has spent most of her life at the Seaquarium since her capture in 1970. The 7,000 pound whale has lived in the 20-foot deep tank for 40 years, performing twice a day for South Florida tourists.

For years, activists have been trying to convince the Seaquarium to retire Lolita and release her back into the waters of the Pacific Northwest where she was originally captured, but her handlers and theme park owners say her life would be endangered if she were freed after so many years in captivity.

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