Protesters Rally Nationwide In Support Of Lolita, The Killer Whale

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Supporters of Lolita, the Killer Whale held a protest on Saturday at the Miami Seaquarium.

Around 30 to 40 people rallied outside the seaquarium in hopes of getting Lolita released into the wild.

"It's great to be able to see the turnout here. There is a lot more people that understand this. There is actually a plan that they are trying to work on to bring her back into the environment," said protester Tom Willetts.

Besides the group at the Miami Seaquarium, protests took place at all Palace Entertainment locations nationwide to draw attention to Lolita's release.

Animal rights groups want Lolita moved to "a protected cove sea pen" where she can be transitioned to the ocean.

The Miami Seaquarium released a statement in response to the protest. It read in part:

"There is no scientific evidence that Lolita could survive if she were moved from her home at Miami Seaquarium. It would be reckless and cruel to treat her life as an experiment."

The 7,000 pound whale has spent more than 35 years alone in the smallest orca tank in North America.