Seaquarium Activists Push to Free Lolita the Whale

A A A Comments (17) By Gus Garcia-Roberts Thursday, Aug 21 2008

Lolita's defenders decry not only confining such an intelligent marine mammal, but also the size of her tank, which is less than two of her body lengths wide at any point.

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It's Miami's aquatic equivalent of "Free Mumia." Activists hold protests and send urgent e-manifestos. But they succeed in swaying all but the two guys who could do anything about it. And Lolita, Miami Seaquarium's long-captive orca, goes on munching chum and belly-flopping in her bathtublike tank.

The 38-year-old killer whale has sparked controversy since she was first sold to Seaquarium for $6,000 in 1970 after being snatched from her family pod in Puget Sound — a practice now effectively banned there. Lolita's defenders decry not only confining such an intelligent marine mammal, but also the size of her tank, which is less than two of her body lengths wide at any point. "That's like living your whole life in your closet," activist Shelby Proie says.

As Lolita nears 40, there's a renewed push for her "retirement," especially as Seaquarium touts a new $5 million swimming-with-dolphins facility, making the rickety killer whale tank seem like a marketing afterthought. Activists want to see her moved to a sea pen, where it is hoped she might eventually re-join family. And the movement has gained some celebrity friends: Hollywood producer Raul Julia-Levy, son of the late actor Raul Julia, recently told Newsweek he was planning a benefit concert for Lolita, with Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent onboard.

It better be soon. Lolita is elderly by captive standards. "She probably has another five years in there, at most," Proie says. "She's tired."

Seaquarium's management is underwhelmed. "There's nothing new to the story, from our perspective," says Michelle Palomino, spokesperson for the Virginia Key puddle collection.

Adds saccharine-sweet Seaquarium general manager Andrew Hertz: "Lolita will remain at Seaquarium surrounded by people who love and protect her."

Feeling masochistic and plum out of nipple clamps, Riptide decided to play Humbert Humbert. So we headed to Seaquarium and paid $43 for parking and entry, but passed on the seven-dollar Coke in a souvenir cup. After watching spandex-clad volunteers ride sea mammals around a tank to "Surfin' U.S.A.," we skulked over to Lolita's stadium. While the meager crowd mostly cheered the flopping whale, Wanda Campbell left midshow, trailing her young son. "It's just sort of sad, isn't it?" she said.

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01/10/2012 2:56:00 AM

Now, you can have a hands-on experience with one of these amazing animals at Dolphin Harbor, the new home to their dolphin interaction programs at Miami Seaquarium.
Rebecca 03/04/2011 4:57:00 PM

If her pod is found, then she can return to the wild. It is never too late.
Tim 02/09/2009 9:43:00 PM

"...with out places like Sea aquarium most people would not even care for these marine creatures, so you must balance education, inspiration and love for marine life while still protecting them." - Nanni from Miami wrote this, but there are a few things that are odd about this sort of comment and thinking... 1) Why do people need to care for these creatures? Justifying what a illegal marine park does by saying most people care for these creatures as a result of these sort of places is wrong. What merit badge did our race receive to take on "caring" for something that was perfectly fine before we started marketing them? 2) Balance was had when they were in the wild, not in a tank that anyone who is about 5 foot tall can reach into (very unsafe). Education is once again used to justify her in a part of the USA (Miami) where they aren't even found. Want to get educated on these creatures, safe up and plan a wonderful get away to where they are naturally found. Inspiration left this idea when people started paying money to see her perform tricks in too small of a tank while drinking beer and exposing their children to a park that isn't even safe. If you love them you won't buy a ticket and support these Nazi's. They don't need protected by us, they need us to leave them alone to live in the wild and admire safely from a distance. Want to spend money on whales? Make a donation to one of Seattle's fine non profit efforts. I believe orcanetwork.org is involved in these efforts specifically, right? Come to Seattle and see how they really are. If you are wowed by that garbage on Biscayne Bay, seeing one for real, around nature and in a wonderful area where citizen's respect them will really get you going.
Gary Roberts 08/28/2008 3:08:00 AM

The biggest mistake is thinking that "we" (humans) need to protect them. They were here before us, and the only protection they need is FROM US. Although some may feel that Lolita would be afraid of live fish and not understand how to hunt you MUST understand that there is a sea-pen in in the North West ready to house her and have 24/7 care by her current Seaquarium trainers. There is NO obligation for her to stay in the sea pen for ever or be cast out from it into the vast ocean forever. She may come and go as she pleases, if she pleases. She was also caught at a very bad age. When caught, she was already hunting in the ocean for food. That instinct was naturally developed. Although NO animals should be help in captivity, it even worse to catch them at an age where their natural survival skills have already started (or are completely) developed and in use. FIY, her pod is found and tracked daily. They know exactly where is it. To "assume" that she would die is wrong. And to say words like "rare" is irrelevant as well. "Rare" doesn't mean impossible. The salty sea waters North West couldn't be any worse polluted than the Biscayne Bay water that they pump in and treat with chlorine for her tank. Chlorine is a harsh, toxic chemical that surely couldn't be any worse that natural sea waters. I feel that these kind of articles and focus is good. I sure as hell didn't learn 1/100 of this upon EVER visiting ANY marine life park. Some said to focus on the future and getting laws past, and I say then DO IT! While you get up and fight that way, others can work on freeing Lolita and then that pesky little concept of "rare" can be once again disproved like it has so many times in life when something great has happened. "Rare" is a weak word meant to evoke fear in your mind because some authority said it couldn't be done MOST of the time. Those who follow what is done "most" of the time "rarely" change the world. Man has done a lot more successful things that were way bigger than this issue. I think we can handle freeing an Ocra that has done her time. NOW GO OUT AND GET LAWS PAST, I'LL SEE YOU THERE.
nanni 08/26/2008 9:44:00 PM

It is too late for her. She needs to stay in captivity, there is no way this whale can "return to her pod". That is absurd. As a marine biologist, I have to say once you take something away from its environment, or put something into an unnatural environment RARELY can you reverse the damage. This article has the wrong focus, it should not be about releasing lolita, but preventing any other animal from being caught and put into captivity, especially in such small spaces. Lolita is an example why, but its too late for her. So stop wasting your effort and time over it and put your energy to good use to prevent FUTURE issues. Then again, with out places like Sea aquarium most people would not even care for these marine creatures, so you must balance education, inspiration and love for marine life while still protecting them.
Delliana 08/24/2008 6:38:00 PM

Let her be home or at least Give her a bigger tank! This needs to stop!
Kimo 08/23/2008 1:46:00 PM

It is wonderful that folks care enough to try and help this animal, but let's get real. Since she only has a handful of years to go, her quality of life out there will probably be less than favorable. Can her pod be found? Will they accept her? Since she is old, is she hardwired enough to forage for her own meals? Since she is so human trained, will she attempt to follow boats and ask for handouts? The odds are against her having a good retirement. It would be best to put all those efforts toward passing laws everywhere in the US to protect marine mammals against future captivity, EVER, PERIOD. They did it on Maui, it can be done elsewhere.
jeff 08/23/2008 6:05:00 AM

Seaworld needs to rescue Lolita and give her a proper home to live out the rest of her years. Miami seaquarium should be shut down. It's ancient and does not belong in the 21st century!!!
Mark 08/23/2008 12:53:00 AM

Perhaps Gus would like to see the whale end up dead like Keiko. Real bright idea, let's take her to one of the most toxic environments where a primary food source is endangered.....
Tom 08/22/2008 12:22:00 PM

As nice as it my be to see Lolita released it will only lead to an early death. When offered live food Lolita is scared of the fish and swims away from it. How is it going to cope if it can not catch prey in captivity let alone in the open ocean. A killer whale that is pushing 40 will not be able to cope with the stress of transportation to an alien environment. All this campain wants is to put Lolita into an early grave.
RUSS RECTOR 08/22/2008 5:42:00 AM

Lolita is going no where, she is going to die in that hell hole Seaquarium calls a stadium. Lolita is a just another casualty of captivity! Miami Seaquarium must go down just like Ocean World did. WAKE UP MIAMI you have the worst DOLPHIN CONCENTRATION CAMP in the world in your own back yard! And there are many other animals at the Seaquarium besides Lolita. Kill the park to stop the killing that's the only answer. Don't finance Seaquariums abuse of animals, spend your money on gas not tickets! It's a better buy and less abusive! Remember CAPTIVITY KILLS!
Melissa 08/22/2008 2:57:00 AM

Lolita deserves to live her life in her own habitat. She should not not be forced to live like a goldfish in a cup! Thank you so much for running this story!
Chris 08/22/2008 2:07:00 AM

I wasn't aware of the harm and poor living conditions of this beautiful creature. I would really like to know more and hope that there is a follow-up article with this girl. This living creature never asked to be in captivity, and the truth needs to be told! Much thanks to the Miami New Times and miss Proie for speaking up.
Ben 08/22/2008 1:58:00 AM

Loved the article. it was amazzzzzzing. Lolita should be free because all creatures are born free. It is unjust that they are keeping in such a small tank. Living in my closet sounds awful. I dont see why it would not be smart for them to let lolita go and get a new whale and a bigger tank.
karen 08/22/2008 1:56:00 AM

Lolita needs to be saved from her tiny tank. She's been doing tricks for 38 years and needs to retire. Her family is still out there and I know she wants to go home. I was there for the most recent protest of Lolita on 8/8/08. We plan on doing more but need more poeple, please email me if you want to be a part of future protests misshaddix@hotmail.com. thanks, Karen
Kyrstyn 08/22/2008 1:53:00 AM

Hey, The article was great... I am so thrilled to see that the media is finally promoting the anti-captivity ideals. This article made me gain respect for the media because it is now addressing issues that are important to me and close to my heart. I will be looking for follow up articles about Lolita. On behalf of myself and my family and Lolita, because I am sure she appreciates that you are spreading the word, Thank You!
Shelby 08/21/2008 8:25:00 PM

It is so great you ran this story, the people of Miami need to know the issues surrounding Lolita including her horriable living conditions, the possibility of freedom in her future, and the people fighting for her retirement. We will not stop.