Over fifty years after her capture, 5,000 pound killer whale Best known by her stage name, Lolita, she may eventually return to her natural habitat in the years to come.
Once a star performer in Miami Aquarium captivity, the killer whale is now 57 and retired from the exhibit as of last spring. In response to mounting pressure from animal rights activists who have long called for Lolita’s release from aquariums, officials announced Thursday a “historic” plan to bring the animal back. “Home” of the Pacific Northwest.
The announcement was made at a press conference held by Florida-based nonprofit Friends of the Ibis and philanthropist and owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts football team, Jim Irsay. The nonprofit, formerly called Friends of Lolita, changed its title to reflect the whale’s indigenous name, Tokitae, or Toki for short. It was co-founded by environmentalist Pritam Singh. , organization is spearheading efforts to release killer whales back into the wild.
Releasing Lolita from captivity comes with many hurdles, including retraining the animal for hunting and physically moving it around the country, but Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Kaba said: said at a meeting on Thursday that completion of the move would largely depend on the health of the family. old whale.Lolita consistently receives veterinary medicine From the end of last year.
“I want to thank everyone for their concern and concern for Loki,” Kava said. I will do my best to
Nuri Balbona, AP
The proposed plan is likely to be costly and could take up to two years, Irsay said. Irsay has promised to fund her Lolita transfer, estimating that her transfer will cost her $15 million to her $20 million. This involves creating a net-segregated area in the waters off Washington and moving Lolita there, along with two dolphins who are currently living with killer whales in captivity. The trainer decided to teach the whale how to support itself.
“We have to teach her how to catch fish again,” said Irsay, noting that “she’s been in confinement for so long” that Lolita “doesn’t know how to do it anymore.” rice field.
Lolita’s release came after an agreement was reached between the Miami Aquarium and Friends of Toki. Under the terms of the “binding agreement,” the aquarium has pledged to do what it can “to realize the dream of returning Lolita to the marine reserve,” officials said in a news release announcing the transfer plan. Stated.
“Today, March 30, the private corporations and non-profit animal welfare organizations that manage marine mammals by humans signed a binding agreement with the single goal of returning beloved Lolita to her home ocean. For the first time ever.” Seaquarium added in a separate statement that the killer whale “will receive the highest quality care as the team works to make the transfer possible in the next 18-24 months.”
The Dolphin Company, which owns the Miami Aquarium and posted its statement twitter “Proud to share” the news of Sequarium’s binding partnership with Florida-based nonprofit Friends of Lolita to “change the future of Lolita.”
Eduardo Albor, CEO of the Dolphin Company, said at a conference Thursday that he was personally dedicated to freeing the killer whales after taking his daughter to one of Lolita’s performances. His daughter told him she couldn’t go to the show because Lolita’s tank was too small, Alvar said.
“It has been our commitment at Dolphin Company to put animal health first,” Alvar said in a statement.
“Finding a better future for Lolita is one of the reasons that motivated us to acquire Miami Aquarium,” the statement continued. It brings us closer than ever to the dream of returning sea turtles to their home oceans.”
