Finally Free: Lolita the Orca

After more than 5 decades of captivity, Lolita the orca (also known as Tokitae) has plans to return home to the wild. At only 4 years old in 1970, she was torn away from her family and ocean home in the largest capture of wild orcas in history. In 1970, 7 wild orcas were stalked and captured in nets, and sold to marine parks. Lolita, now 57, is the oldest captive orca in the world, after living in the Miami Seaquarium for 52 years.

Lolita performing in one of Miami Seaquarium's shows

The owners of the Miami Seaquarium announced that they are working towards relocation to Puget Sound (an Area in the Pacific Northwest), where her family still resides, within the next 18 to 24 months.

In captivity, Orcas have a mortality rate 2.5 times higher than wild orcas. In the tanks, they have very little mental stimulation, and no opportunity to meaningfully engage with the environment as wild orcas do. Lolita lives in the smallest orca enclosure in North America, in a chlorinated pool of water which caused her skin infections, and was only 1.5 times the size of her body.

Lolita and her family being captured in Puget Sound, Washington, 1970.

Some are concerned with how well Lolita will survive in the wild. After over 50 years in captivity, Lolita has become accustomed to living in the tank. She currently lives in a maintained and safe environment, with access to medical care and food. But that doesn’t justify keeping her in captivity. Orcas are highly intelligent, social animals genetically built to live, migrate and feed over great distances in the ocean (over 100 km a day!). Releasing Lolita into a sea sanctuary would allow her to return to the wild, in a natural and fulfilling environment. It’s not cheap to move a 20-foot whale though. The cost of relocation could reach up to $20 million, which includes the military plane required to transport her, trainers, vets, and the 24-hour care she would receive for her to adjust.

Although the move must still be approved by federal regulatory agencies, it is still momentous in the fight for freedom for Orcas worldwide. These majestic animals are not for our entertainment, and belong free in the wild where they belong.