A few weeks ago, I wrote an article on Lolita, the orca at the Miami Seaquarium. I received such a response that I had to keep writing. Something inside me is pushing me on to tell her story to the world. I just uploaded Part 7 of An Orca name Lolita.
Lolita was one of the orcas captured on August 8, 1970 in Penn Cove on Whidbey Island, WA. She was sold to the Miami Seaquarium where she has been held captive since that time. She is housed in a tank that is illegal according to the Animal Welfare Act, but nothing has been done to get her out of there.
Orcas are social creatures and live in pods. Lolita has not seen another orca since 1980 when her companion orca, Hugo, died. Hugo developed a brain aneurism after banging his head repeatedly against the walls of the tank in an effort to get out. In essence, he committed suicide.
Orca Network had tried for years to get Lolita out of there. What is it going to take to get this accomplished? The Center for Whale Research has devised a total plan for her rehabilitation and reintroduction back to her pod. For those who want to compare her to Keiko, please go read Part 7 where I address the differences.
How You Can Help!
Write to APHIS and ask why this has been allowed to go on for so long and then ask them when they are doing to do something about it!
Write to: Secretary Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Agriculture
USDA/APHIS/AC
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737-1234
Then write to President Obama and ask him why APHIS is not doing their job and how long he’s going to allow this travesty to continue.
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Make your voice heard! It is time for Lolita to be retired and for her to come home.
