At the Miami Seaquarium, Lolita (Tokitae), a 56-year-old orca could soon be released back into the Pacific Northwest waters where she was captured in 1970 at four years old. The aquarium, where Lolita currently lives, has now agreed to release her as opposed to years of refusing to free her in the past.
According to FriendsofToki.org, Miami Seaquarium will hold a press conference on March 30 to discuss plans for her release. In December, it had been announced that everyone at the Dolphin Company, which owns the aquarium attraction, were “100% committed to returning her to her home” near the Puget Sound.
When Lolita arrived at the marine park, she lived with an orca named Hugo, but he died of a brain aneurysm in 1980, and since then she has lived alone.
Lolita still remains under medical care as she continues to recover from a severe respiratory infection. It is hoped she completely recovers in time for “a safe released into her native waters” and live out her days as all orcas should – FREE.
She looks good clinically although it was reported that she occasionally seemed uncomfortable, while still eating and responding well to [her] trainer’s behavior requests. Her white blood cell parameters continue to improve with a number of values nearing levels we have not observed in many months.
Veterinarians James McBain and Stephanie Norman
There is no doubt that Lolita has earned her captors millions of dollars in revenue and deserves a retirement.
For anyone not familiar with Lolita’s plight, animal activists have long been calling for the orca to be freed and returned to the area where she was captured. There have been hopes she might even be reunited with her family. Lolita’s mother, estimated to be about 90, is reported to still be alive and leading a pod of whales in the Salish Sea in search for food.
According to International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP), moving Lolita would require permits from the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, needing to determine if Lolita is healthy enough to survive the stress of a transfer from Miami to the Pacific Northwest.
According to the Miami News Times, Sacred Sea, an indigenous-led nonprofit, and the Whale Sanctuary Project are ready to help transport Lolita to where she lived as a calf. The sanctuary will help her to thrive in “her natal waters while receiving ongoing human care.” A sea pen is being designed with more than 100 acres of aquatic space and a depth of 54 feet would be enclosed and include a walkway for staff to provide medical care to captive whales that have been released.
More details to follow.
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WOW! PEOPLE ARE FINALLY DEVELOPING BRAINS AND HEARTS!
No they are not. I signed my first petition to free Lolita nearly 20 years ago. These people are just setting her free because we been demanding it. Also Lolita has also been battle a lung infection and they know if she dies in that small tank people will let them have it on the internet. Lolita’s mother is still alive at 95 years old.
Lolita’s mother is still alive, she in 95! After Lolita is moved they need to play her pod’s voices for her. She might remember her language and it she starts talking her mother might hear her and come to her. Female orca’s stay with their mothers for life. Lolita’s success at freedom will depend on her pod accepting her. I recently lost my mother at 91 and I’m 65, it made me cry to think Lolita’s mother was still alive and maybe because she never stopped looking for her daughter.