Lolita, the oldest captive orca, was snatched from her Pacific Northwest home when she was just four. Now, more than five decades later, plans are underway for her eventual return to her natural waters. For years, she lived as a notable aquarium attraction in the United States.
After sustained advocacy by animal-welfare groups, the Miami Seaquarium, the U.S. park where Lolita has resided (formerly Tokitae), announced at a press conference their intention to rescue this giant from a heavy burden that weighed over 2,260 kilograms.
Following ten years of protests and lawsuits, Friends of Toki — a non-profit organization — has finally secured a deal with the Seaquarium to arrange Lolita’s release. Financial backing for the relocation will come from Jim Irsay, the NFL owner and philanthropist, helping to fund the effort.
While the relocation could be delayed for up to 24 months and is estimated to cost around $20 million, preparations are actively underway for Lolita’s return to the Pacific Northwest. Initially, she will be monitored in a secure, closed facility where trainers will help her relearn hunting and rebuild muscle that deteriorated during long years in captivity, setting the stage for a potential reintroduction to the wild.
Lolita, now 57, retired from public water shows last year and currently resides in a comparatively small 24-by-11-foot tank.
Howard Garrett, chairman of Orca Network, remarked to AP News that this move represents progress toward repairing the damage caused by exploitation and development. He expressed hope that Lolita will feel excitement and relief upon returning to her familiar coastal neighborhood.
looking for his mother
Lolita, identified as the southern orca, belongs to a critically endangered pod that navigates the waters between Washington state and Canada, where roughly 73 individuals are believed to remain. The population faced steep declines in the 1960s and 1970s when many whales, including Lolita, were captured and sold to theme parks across the world.
Despite Lolita’s remarkable age, her mother — nearly a century old — is thought to still swim in the Pacific Northwest. Lolita is part of the L pod lineage.
The defenders hope for many more years of freedom for Lolita and even a possible reunion with her mother someday.
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Environmental authorities are no longer sharing public contact details for this matter.