Orca Lolita to be freed after 50 years of torment in Miami Sequarium
2 Min Read
A 57-year-old whale to be released from Miami Sequarium after five decades of torment.
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Trainer Marcia Hinton pets Lolita, an orca whale during a performance at the Miami Seaquarium, Nuri Vallbona (AP).
Lolita, a 57-year-old Orca, will be released from the Miami Seaquarium on Thursday after reaching a deal with NFL's Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay and Florida non-profit Friends of Lolita.
Dinner before today’s Lolita press conference in Miami Beach! Key players in the massive plan to finally FREE this 8000 lb killer whale, Lolita!!❤️🙏🏼…Stay tuned as this dream unfolds in real time👏 Filmmaker Ryan White to document every incredible step towards FREEDOM✌️🥳 pic.twitter.com/RKOCuhV5lZ
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) March 30, 2023
The 3,200kg whale has been held captive in an unaccommodating tank for 50 years. According to PETA's Vice President and General Counsel for Animal Law Jared Goodman, "If the Seaquarium agrees to move her, it’ll offer her long-awaited relief after five miserable decades in a cramped tank and send a clear signal to other parks that the days of confining highly intelligent, far-ranging marine mammals to dismal prisons are done and dusted."
PETA has pursued several lawsuits on behalf of Lolita in an attempt to relieve the whale of her burdens.
Historically, animal rights groups have undertaken long campaigns claiming that Lolita's living conditions are unbearable, and their efforts finally produced the hoped-for results.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava claims that the county has been cared for by the "finest marine veterinarian experts" in an attempt to exempt her county from criticism.
There is still a long way to go until Lolita is returned to her home waters. The US government, local officials, and state officials have to work together to transfer the whale from her prison.
Lolita has performed for millions of tourists who visited the Seaquarium. Her eventual release might revolutionize the way society perceives trained animals held in the captivity of aquariums or cages.
Southern Orcas have been on the endangered animal list since 2005, according to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The population of Orcas has "fluctuated considerably" in Washington since the 1970s and had been "reduced during 1965-75 because of captures for marine parks." as is the case with Lolita.
The number of whales has stagnated since the 1970s and is estimated to be around 70 whales.
Read more: Amaya the killer whale dies unexpectedly from disease.
