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Lolita the orca dies after half a century in captivity

Lolita the orca dies after half a century in captivity

Orca Tokitae (also known as Lolita) has sadly died of suspected renal failure after many decades held in captivity, and not long after plans to potentially release her into a sanctuary were announced. Tokitae was also given the name Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut by the Lummi Nation of Washington State. She died at the Miami Seaquarium after being kept…

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Ambitious plan to free captive orca Lolita announced

Southern Resident whales

The new owner of the Miami Seaquarium in the US has announced that it is exploring plans to release captive orca Tokitae, also known as Lolita, back into a sea sanctuary in her home waters of the Pacific Northwest. Tokitae has been held captive in a tank for over 50 years and kept alone for…

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Alarming report raises worries for marine mammals held at the Miami Seaquarium

Leonardo Da Silva/Flickr A disturbing report on the conditions at the Miami Seaquarium from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), released along with an extensive interview from one of the facility’s former veterinarians, highlights the horrendous and dangerous treatment of marine mammals, including the endangered Southern Resident orca Tokitae (also called Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut, or Lolita).…

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Tokitae Totem Pole Journey reaches Miami Seaquarium

The Lummi Totem Pole journey for Tokitae reached its final stop at the Miami Seaquarium last month, but tribal members and fellow protesters, including Orca Network, were not allowed to enter the marine park.  The Lummi Nation of Washington State traveled more than 3,000 miles cross-country from Seattle to Miami to raise awareness for Tokitae…

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Court denies appeal for Lolita, still held captive in Florida

Sadly, despite a plea from U.S. celebrity and well-known advocate Bob Barker to retire Tokitae (Lolita) to a seaside sanctuary, an appeals court ruling has blocked the latest effort to Free Lolita.  The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the Miami Seaquarium’s undersized tank, lack of social companions, and inadequate treatment was not…

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Lolita Case Returns to Court

The next step in the legal process to return Lolita (also called Tokitae) to her home waters in Washington State happened on December 6th in Florida.  An appeal on the Endangered Species Act (ESA)-based lawsuit against the Miami Seaquarium, which was dismissed in June 2016, seeks to overturn the district court’s ruling on ESA violations.…

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Mayday Monday – Ask an Expert

So, it’s not Monday, but we still wanted to share this amazing Ask an Expert with Howard Garrett of Orca Network about the current state of the Southern Residents and what the future holds for them.  Read on to find out more! 1) The decline in the Southern Resident population is a product of many different…

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