Lolita, the oldest captive orca, was taken from her home in the Pacific Northwest when she was just four years old; now, more than 50 years later, it is finally preparing to be released into its natural waters. He spent his whole life as an aquarium attraction in America.
After persistent campaigns by groups in favor of animal rights, those responsible for the Miami Seaquarium (the US park where Lolita is now located, formerly known as Tokitae) announced at a press conference their plan to rescue this giant from a payload of more than 2,260 kilograms.
After ten years of protests and lawsuitsFriends of Toki, a non-profit organization, has finally managed to seal a deal with Seaquarium to secure the orca’s release. Lolita’s move will receive financial assistance from NFL owner and philanthropist Jim Irsay.
Although the relocation It can be delayed for up to 24 months and cost around $20 millionEverything is already being prepared for Lolita’s return to the Pacific Northwest, where she will initially be under the watchful eye of special monitors in a closed bunker. There he will be taught to hunt and help develop muscles that have been badly depleted by prolonged captivity, leaving him in a situation where he can later return to the wild.
The orca, now 57, retired from water shows last year and now lives in a 24-by11-foot tank.
“This is a step towards restoring our natural environment and correcting what we have degraded through exploitation and development,” Howard Garrett, chairman of the board of advocacy group Orca Network, told AP News. “I think he’ll be excited and relieved to be in his old neighborhood.”
I’m looking for his mother
Lolita, known as the southern orca, is a member of a group of endangered orcas that live in the waters between Washington and Canada and where only 73 individuals are believed to remain. The group experienced significant population declines in the 1960s and 1970s when whale raids saw 45 orcas, including Lolita, being taken to and delivered to theme parks around the world.
Despite Lolita’s impressive age, His mother, nearly 100 years old, is believed to be one of the few orcas still swimming in the waters of the Pacific Northwest.He belongs to a clan called L pod.
Mother’s age to defenders I hope Lolita has many more years of freedom ahead. and may even meet him again.
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Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]