VIRGINIA KEY, Fla. -- Animal rights activists made a Mother's Day plea Sunday at the Miami Seaquarium -- let Lolita the killer whale go free.

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Protesters held signs and shouted for her freedom from outside the Seaquarium. They say she is being used for profit and her tank is too small. The protesters would like to see her returned off Puget Sound with her family.

"People need to understand that captivity is no place for animals and Lolita belongs out in the wild with her family where she can live," said protester Valerie Silidker.

Some say a return to the wild would not necessarily be the best thing for the whale.

"Lolita is part of our family. She has lived here for 33 years. She has entertained and educated million of children during that time. She's a part of our family and we think letting her go would be an irresponsible act on our behalf," said Seaquarium curator Robert Rose.

Lolita is the oldest killer whale living in captivity. The Seaquarium says her living conditions have been approved by the federal government and that there is no scientific proof that she could survive in the open waters of the ocean.