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Lolita - orca: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox animal|name=Lolita|gender=Female|capture_location=Penn Cove|capture_date=August 8, 1970|capture_age=Approx. 3|pod=L-pod|death_date=August 18, 2023|death_place=Miami Seaquarium|death_cause= | {{Infobox animal|name=Lolita|gender=Female|capture_location=Penn Cove|capture_date=August 8, 1970|capture_age=Approx. 3|pod=L-pod|death_date=August 18, 2023|death_place=Miami Seaquarium|death_cause=Kidney failure|death_age=57|image=Miamiseaquariumlolita.jpg}} | ||
'''Lolita''' (Tokitae) was a 57 year-old female orca who was captive at the Miami Seaquarium since her capture in 1970. She was captured in the Salish Sea when she was approximately 3 years old. | '''Lolita''' (Tokitae) was a 57 year-old female orca who was captive at the Miami Seaquarium since her capture in 1970. She was captured in the Salish Sea when she was approximately 3 years old. | ||
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When Lolita became sexually mature, she and [[Hugo - orca|Hugo]] reportedly mated many times, including during shows. Despite Lolita apparently becoming pregnant several times, she never delivered any live offspring. | When Lolita became sexually mature, she and [[Hugo - orca|Hugo]] reportedly mated many times, including during shows. Despite Lolita apparently becoming pregnant several times, she never delivered any live offspring. | ||
On March 4, 1980, [[Hugo - orca|Hugo]] died from a | On March 4, 1980, [[Hugo - orca|Hugo]] died from a brain aneurysm as a result of his habit of repeatedly slamming himself against the tank walls. His body was removed from the tank and sent to the Miami Dade Dump while Lolita was left on her own. | ||
Since then, Lolita has only been in the company of smaller species of dolphin; she has not seen another orca since [[Hugo - orca|Hugo’s]] death. | Since then, Lolita has only been in the company of smaller species of dolphin; she has not seen another orca since [[Hugo - orca|Hugo’s]] death. | ||
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On March 30th, 2023, it was announced by the [[Miami Seaquarium]] and its new owner, The Dolphin Company, that Lolita will be sent back to her place of origin in the Pacific Northwest, along with her pacific white-sided dolphin companion, Li'i. This decision was made with the collaboration of Miami-Dade County, the nonprofit organization Friends of Lolita, and Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts and a philanthropist. A sea pen in the Pacific Northwest will be used to acclimate and transport the animals, with the entire process estimated to take between 18-24 months and cost approximately $15-20 million, which will mostly be funded by Irsay.<ref>https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article273738455.html</ref> | On March 30th, 2023, it was announced by the [[Miami Seaquarium]] and its new owner, The Dolphin Company, that Lolita will be sent back to her place of origin in the Pacific Northwest, along with her pacific white-sided dolphin companion, Li'i. This decision was made with the collaboration of Miami-Dade County, the nonprofit organization Friends of Lolita, and Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts and a philanthropist. A sea pen in the Pacific Northwest will be used to acclimate and transport the animals, with the entire process estimated to take between 18-24 months and cost approximately $15-20 million, which will mostly be funded by Irsay.<ref>https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article273738455.html</ref> | ||
Lolita died on August 18, 2023 at the Miami Seaquarium. She exhibited signs of discomfort before her death, | == Death == | ||
Lolita died on August 18, 2023 at the Miami Seaquarium and her body was transported to the University of Georgia for a necropsy to confirm the cause of death. She exhibited signs of discomfort before her death, and it was believed to be due to a renal condition.<ref>[https://www.theanimalreader.com/2023/08/19/news-orca-lolita-dies-florida/ Orca Lolita dies after 50 years in captivity in Florida] The Animal Reader</ref> | |||
According to NOAA Fisheries, the federal agency that oversees the public display of marine mammals, Tokitae’s official cause of death was kidney failure. This was based on information provided by the [[Miami Seaquarium]], which performed a necropsy on Tokitae shortly after her death. However, the Seaquarium did not release any details or results of the necropsy to the public or to NOAA Fisheries. The necropsy itself was opposed by the Lummi Nation, a Native American tribe that considered Tokitae a family member and had been campaigning for her return to her home waters.<ref name=":0">[https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/noaa-lists-kidney-failure-as-tokitaes-official-cause-of-death NOAA Lists Kidney Failure as Tokitae's Official Cause of Death] Fox 13</ref> | |||
== Legacy == | |||
Tokitae’s death marked the end of an era for the Southern Resident orcas, who lost one of their oldest and most iconic members. Her story also raised public awareness and concern for the plight of captive and wild orcas. Tokitae’s ashes were returned to her native waters by the Lummi Nation in a private ceremony.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Other orcas captured at Penn Cove August 8, 1970== | ==Other orcas captured at Penn Cove August 8, 1970== | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Blog:Rest In Peace Tokitae]] | * [[Blog:Rest In Peace Tokitae]] | ||
* [[Lolita Slave to Entertainment - film]] | * [[Lolita Slave to Entertainment - film]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Library:OrcaStories from Baby Wild Films Presents The Killer Whale People (video)]] | ||
* [[Penn Cove orca captures]] | * [[Penn Cove orca captures]] | ||
* [[List of living captive orcas]] | * [[List of living captive orcas]] | ||