Lolita, the orca whale, returns to the wild after 6 decades in captivity at the Miami Seαquarium

The geriatric orca could soon return to the waters off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, the region where Lolita’s mother reportedly still lives.

Fifty-two years after the orca Lolita was released from captivity, the orca may return to the ocean and possibly reunite with her elderly mother.

Activists are rallying on a decades-long mission to free Lolita, also known as Tokitae or Toki, who was taken from the wild and transported to the Miami Seaqariυm in 1970, according to The Guardia .

Since 1970, the 56-year-old orca has been residing and performing in what has been described as the smallest assignment for captive orcas in North America, according to the outlet.

Over the years, Lolita’s health has had ups and downs. Still, experts have described the geriatric whale as being in “remarkably good shape,” the newspaper added, having outlived his chat partner Hugo. He died of a cerebral aperysm in 1980 after repeatedly hitting his head on his zipper.

“She is a miracle every day,” Howard Garrett, a whale researcher and Orca Network activist who has been fighting for Lolita’s release since 1995, told The Guard. “It is against all odds that she is still alive. “I think it’s about your mental health that keeps your physical health in good shape.”

He copied: “She is not withdrawn, perorotic, nor does she have the stereotypical behavior that indicates any type of brain damage associated with being in captivity. She may be completely different if her ability to stay healthy.”

A USDA report released last year criticized the Miami Seaqariυm’s care of the animal, citing that it was fed less than the recommended amount and was not drinking much water.

“The AV [veterinarian in charge] was also investigated because Toki was not getting enough water (since marine mammals extract water from fish for hydration) and that the lack of food volume would cause him distress and agitation,” according to the report. .

He commented: “The AV also had agreements with the training curator dictating the incorporation of fast swims and large jumps into training sessions and shows for this geriatric whale. Toki’s blood test was abnormal and the VA believed that these behaviors could result in overexertion and Toki becoming weak, which was actually observed by both the senior trainer and the VA.

The VA also diagnosed that Toki had hit his lower jaw, probably on the lower canal/wall while swimming fast. Toki’s medical records indicate damage to his bottom map on February 25, March 10, March 31, April 6, and April 7, 2021.”

The report’s conclusions, along with the fact that the facility’s new owners are open to a possible release of the whale, have activists optimistic about Lolita’s eventual return to open waters, according to The Guardia .

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