Orca 'Lolita' Captured at Age 4
Spent 53 Years in a Small Aquarium
Concerns Raised About Lolita's Ability to Adapt to Her Hometown
Orca "Lolita," captured over 50 years ago and living in a Miami aquarium in the United States while performing, is finally able to return to the sea. Estimated to be 57 years old, Lolita has spent about 53 years confined in a small aquarium.
According to the Associated Press on the 30th (local time), the Miami Seaquarium and the nonprofit organization "Friends of Lolita" held a press conference that day to announce plans to release the female orca Lolita.
Orca "Lolita," Captured in 1970... 50 Years of Dolphin Shows
The photo shows a trainer petting Lolita during a performance at the Miami Aquarium on March 9, 1995. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
Originally named "Tokitae," Lolita was captured in 1970 off the coast of Puget Sound, Washington State, and has lived performing dolphin shows at the Miami Seaquarium for over 50 years. At the time of capture, Lolita was estimated to be 4 years old. Lolita is currently 57 years old, making her the oldest orca confined in this aquarium.
The efforts of animal rights activists played a major role in Lolita's release. The animal rights organization PETA filed a lawsuit in 2015 against the Miami Seaquarium and its parent company, Palace Entertainment, claiming that Lolita's captive environment violated the Endangered Species Act.
Particularly, after Lolita's partner, the orca "Hugo," exhibited stress-induced abnormal behavior by repeatedly hitting his head against the tank wall in 1980 and died from a brain aneurysm, calls to end the dolphin shows intensified. Following continuous legal battles, PETA succeeded in retiring Lolita from whale shows. Subsequently, PETA and several other animal protection groups negotiated with the aquarium owners to promote Lolita's release.
Jared Goodman, PETA's Vice President and an expert in animal protection law, stated in a press release on the 28th, "If Lolita returns to her homeland, not only PETA, which has fought and protested against the aquarium for Lolita's freedom over the past few years, but the entire world will cheer."
However, some voices point out that the process of Lolita settling in her homeland will not be easy. Accordingly, Lolita's trainers and veterinarians are reportedly planning to conduct survival training, including teaching her how to hunt, to help her adapt well to her natural habitat.
Another Orca "Kiska"... 44 Years Confined and a Lonely Death
Unlike Lolita, there is also the case of an orca that spent its entire life in a marine park and died a lonely death. Known as "the loneliest orca in the world," Kiska was captured at age 3 and confined for 44 years at a marine park in Ontario, Canada, before passing away on the 9th.
Kiska was captured off the coast of Iceland in 1979 and was held in captivity at the marine park ever since. From 1979 to 1992, Kiska was involved in thousands of performances, evoking sympathy. Notably, in 2021, Kiska exhibited abnormal behavior such as repeatedly hitting the aquarium walls, which sparked outrage among animal rights activists.
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