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Where is Lolita?

December 5, 2014 by Leave a Comment


The News

The Public Relations office at the Miami Seaquarium is saying “no comment” in response to frantic inquires about the whereabouts of Lolita, an orca who has been living in the smallest killer whale tank in North America for 44 years.

The Seaquarium posted this statement for visitors on its website: “Due to routine maintenance at our Killer Whale and Dolphin Stadium, there will be no Killer Whale and Dolphin show until further notice.”

Statement on Seaquarium website

Statement on Seaquarium website

Some speculate that Lolita has been moved to an even smaller tank that is covered with a tarp:

Photo: @OrcaSOS

Photo: @OrcaSOS

Lolita, who was stolen from her pod off the coast of Washington in 1970 when she was four, has captured the world’s attention because her tank that is smaller than the minimum size required by the Animal Welfare Act, and she has no orca companion or shelter from the sun.  Lolita can’t even dive because the the tank to which she is confined is shallower than the length of her body.

Lolita's tank is just 35' X 80'

Lolita’s tank is just 35′ X 80′

On January 17th, over 1,000 people will gather in Miami for the Mircale March for Lolita, which promises to be the largest protest in history for a captive orca. The objective is to pressure the Seaquarium to release her to coastal sanctuary near her pod where she will be rehabilitated and transitioned back into the wild. Lolita’s mother is still alive.

Your Turn

Please call the Miami Seaquarium and ask where Lolita is: (305) 361-5705


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Liberating Lolita

November 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment


The News

In what promises to be the largest protest in history for a captive orca, the Miracle March for Lolita will take place at the Miami Seaquarium on January 17th, 2015. Lolita, who was stolen from her pod off the coast of Washington in 1970 when she was four, has been living in the smallest orca tank in the world for 44 years.

Miami Seaquarium

Lolita at the Miami Seaquarium

For the first 10 years, Lolita had a killer whale companion, Hugo, who reportedly died by pounding his head against the side of the tank. Since 1980, she has been alone, unable to interact with members of her own species or engage in any natural behaviors. Lolita can’t even dive because the the tank to which she is confined is shallower than the length of her body.

One of the Miracle March for Lolita organizers, Robin Jewell, says that over 1,500 people have signed up to participate on Facebook alone and that a film will be made to document the event. The goal, she says, is to shine a national spotlight on Lolita’s plight in an effort to liberate and return her to her pod. Lolita’s mother is still alive, and, even after 44 years, Lolita continues to vocalize in the calls used only by her family, which should help her reintegrate into her pod.

Seattle on Worldwide Day of Protests for Lolita

Seattle on Worldwide Day of Protests for Lolita

In addition to the grass roots movement to free Lolita, advocacy groups are using legal strategies to liberate her. The Animal Legal Defense Fund, PETA and the Orca Network have petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service to send her home on the grounds that her pod is protected as an endangered species. To date, Lolita has been denied the same protection as her family. The groups have also sued the USDA because Lolita is kept in a tank that is smaller than the minimum size required by the Animal Welfare Act and has no orca companion or shelter from the sun.

Lolita at Miami Seaquarium

Lolita at Miami Seaquarium

If and when Lolita is liberated, she will be transported by plane to a coastal sanctuary near her pod where she will be rehabilitated and, if possible, transitioned back into the wild. The Orca Conservancy and Orca Network have  published detailed plans for Lolita’s release.

Your Turn

The Miracle March for Lolita is an expensive endeavor, as the City of Miami is charging organizers for police officers, fireman, lane closures and other services. Please donate to help make this march a success.

In addition, please urge Miami Seaquarium owner Palace Entertainment to liberate Lolita so that the advocacy groups can take her home: PETA petition, Petition Site, Change.org petition, Born Free petition

Attend the Miracle March for Lolita and/or tell your friends about it.


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PETA Suing to Release Lone Orca Lolita

July 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment


The News

In an ongoing attempt to free Lolita, a killer whale who was kidnapped from the Pugent Sound 44 years, PETA is appealing a lawsuit it lost that challenged the USDA’s automatic renewal of Miami Seaquarium’s Animal Welfare Act license, which allows it to exhibit Lolita.  PETA claims that the Seaquarium is in violation of at least three of the act’s regulations. The group says Lolita is kept in a tank that is smaller than the minimum size required and has no orca companion or shelter from the sun.

Photo credit: Ross Cobb

Photo credit: Ross Cobb

News & Opinion

Kidnapping an intelligent orca from her home and holding her captive for over 40 years in a small tank is unspeakably cruel.  And the fact that she is alone makes it even worse.  She must be extraordinarily stressed, frustrated, depressed and lonely.  This case is truly heart-breaking.  Kudos to PETA for attempting to free Lolita and release her into a coastal sanctuary that is ready to take her.  Please use this link to submit a letter to the owner of the Seaquarium.


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The “Blackfish Effect”

February 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment


The News

After watching Blackfish, the documentary film about captive orcas at Sea World, Virgin Airlines CEO Richard Branson instructed his tour company Virgin Holidays to refrain from booking travel “with any organization that won’t guarantee that they won’t display dolphins and whales that are taken from the wild,” according to the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

The capture of Lolita, who is now at the Miami Seaquarim

The capture of Lolita, who is now at the Miami Seaquarim

News & Opinion

The impact of Blackfish can’t be overstated: musicians are canceling their Sea World performances; protests are on the rise and ticket sales are declining. The whole world is watching. But we can’t be complacent because Sea World is a multi-billion dollar company that will stop at nothing to protect their biggest attraction: the killer whale shows. To be a voice for the orcas, please visit the Take Action on the Blackfish website.


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