An “Aquatic Army” will descend on Virginia Key Sunday, Oct. 17 at the “Rally for Lolita’s Retirement.”
The event is being organized in part by Oceanic Defense, a non-profit ocean education and advocacy group that seeks to raise awareness about everyone’s responsibility to protect the world’s oceans. This week the group hosted a series of events and community forums in Miami.
The Rally takes place from 12 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010 outside the Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Virginia Key.
Guest speakers include Captain Pete Bethune, captain of Earthrace, the wave-piercer that set a world record for the fastest global circumnavigation; Trevor, a nine year old boy from Washington State who started the Let Lolita Live Campaign; and Cynthia Aguilar, a record-setting endurance paddle boarder and South Beach Ocean Lifeguard, subject of an upcoming documentary about her challenge to solo paddle from Cuba-to-Key West.
Lolita (Tokitae) is a 44-year old captive orca living at the Miami Seaquarium in Miami, Florida. She was captured off Whidbey Island, Washington State in 1970. In response to previous requests to retire Lolita, the Miami Seaquarium has responded that the killer whale has been hand-fed for the past 39 years and could not survive on her own in the ocean.
Resources:
www.oceanicdefense.org
http://www.miamiseaquarium.com
Photo courtesy of Oceanic Defense.
@2010 All Rights Reserved
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It's long past time to retire Lolita to a seapen near her family where she can be cared for. She would have more room to be, and she could once again experience the rich marine environment and the sounds of her family. With all we know now and with all she has given to Miami Seaquarium, her retirement to her home waters is well deserved. Retire Lolita!
ReplyDeleteshe can't be hand-fed from a seapen in the ocean????? what is their response to that questions?
ReplyDelete