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The killer whale, also known as Tokitae, has been in captivity for more than 50 years. Amid increasing pressure, the Seaquarium has agreed to release her.
The killer whale Lolita, which has entertained generations of visitors with colossal leaps and sloppy belly flops that splashed crowds at the Miami Seaquarium, will be returning to her native waters after more than 50 years in captivity, the owner of the marine life aquarium and Miami-Dade County officials said.
The plan to release the orca — also known as Tokitae — is the result of a “binding agreement” among The Dolphin Company, which operates the Seaquarium, Miami-Dade County and animal rights advocates, the company said. The move comes after an outcry from those who complained for years that an animal from the ocean should not be kept in a small tank.
“The most important thing is Tokitae’s long term well-being and together guided by the experts will continue to do what is best for her,” County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
Ms. Levine Cava said that her administration, which oversaw the transfer of the Seaquarium’s ownership to The Dolphin Company last year, sees the whale’s health as the priority.
Eduardo Albor, chief executive of The Dolphin Company, said, “this is a very special day” and added, “This is beyond Lolita. She is going to become a symbol.”
At the news conference, Jim Irsay, a philanthropist and owner of the National Football League team the Indianapolis Colts, said it was all about helping the orca: “I know Lolita wants to get to free waters.”
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Lolita the Orca May Swim Free After Decades at Miami Seaquarium (Published 2023) – The New York Times
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