Lolita, also known as Tokitae, is an orca who was captured at the age of 4 in 1970 and has been living in captivity ever since. She is the only killer whale captive in Miami Seaquarium and her tank size is illegal -- USDA requires a minimum width of 48 feet yet Lolita's tank is only 35 ft wide and has a maximum depth of 20 ft, and a minimum of 12. Lolita is 21 ft long and weighs 7000 pounds. She is forced daily to perform circus tricks.
It is obvious that her conditions are abusive and cruel.
There is a plan for her release; if it falls through, then she is not going to be released straight into the wild but rather rehabilitated in a seapen off the coast of San Juan Island, back in her home waters. Read more about release plan here.
Please sign this petition to give Lolita back what is rightfully hers; her freedom.
To owners of Miami Seaquarium,
It shocked me to find out that, despite plans for the release of Lolita to a seapen, she is still forced to live in her illegally small tank and perform circus tricks daily.
Orcas are highly intelligent and social animals and keeping Lolita in captivity is an act of cruelty that will not be tolerated.
Please, set the right example for other captive whale facilities and release her to her proposed seapen!
