Lolita the orca is returning home to Puget Sound after more than 50 years in captivity

Lolita the orca will soon be swimming in her home waters of Puget Sound in Washington state after more than half a century in captivity.

Friends of Lolita, a not-for-profit organization, and the Miami Seaquarium announced at a news conference Thursday that they have signed an agreement to return the killer whale, also known as Tokitae or Toki, to the area where she was captured within the next 18 to 24 months.

The aquarium, where Lolita has lived since 1970, is now working with the non-profit on a relocation plan.

The killer whale, a member of the L Pod of southern resident orcas that frequent the waters