International Day of Protest for Lolita – May 15, 2010
International Protest Saturday May 15, 2010 for Miami Seaquarium Orca Lolita Retirement –
May 15th starting at noon a protest will be held all over the world with a division here in Miami, Florida to raise awareness about Seaquarium Orca, Lolita. Over thirty different cities and countries have signed up to be part of the massive collaboration to show the Miami Seaquarium along with other marine mammal parks and the world that Orcas do not belong in captivity. One of our protests held on October 11, 2008 generated national media attention for the Orca when a four minute segment was aired on CNN Headline news. In collaboration with Orca Network invite fellow residents and media to come out and support this cause. We hope to see Lolita retired back into a sea pen in her native Pacific North West waters where she will be taken care of for the rest of her life unless she chooses to rejoin her pod that lives there as well.
She has been living in an illegal tank at the Seaquarium for the last 39 years, and has taken a backseat to the newly developed swim with the dolphins program. This backseat has raised controversy as to why she shouldn’t be retired, because the Seaquarium is not allowed and won’t build her a bigger tank. Surrounding the controversy with the rising number of orca attacks at Sea World, she could be the first of a new generation of orcas being retired back to their natural habitat
If retired she will initially reside in a generously sized “bay-pen” where she will be fed, taken care of and slowly reintroduced back into the wild. After rehabilitation it will be her choice to continue to live in the “bay-pen” or leave to rejoin her pod.
In 1970 Lolita was captured in Penn Cove. Since then, much controversy has surrounded the safety of the Seaquraium’s actions with their animals. Hugo, an Orca captured 2 years earlier from the same pod as Lolita, killed himself at the Seaquarium in 1980 by bashing his head off of the illegal tank; after showing strong signs of depression. Many have offered more than what Lolita’s insurance policy is worth for her retirement, but Owner Arthur Hertz of the Seaquarium has yet to agree. The concern is from coast to coast on an animal that has done her time in living quarters to small and arguably unsafe conditions for patrons to view in this dated arena.
INFO ABOUT MIAMI PROTEST:
Saturday May 15, 2010 from 12PM-2PM in front of the parking lot entrance to the Miami Seaquarium.
Makes signs if you can, leaflets and signs will also be provided. This event will go on rain or shine.
Also, here’s a list of city captains. If your city isn’t listed or you need contact information for your city leader, contact me at Save Lolita!
City Captains for Lolita:
- Chicago: Niki -niki@savelolita.com
- Miami: myself
- NE Florida: Venus Hurst-jasonshursttilecollc@yahoo.com
- Whidbey Island, WA: Howard and Susan-howard@orcanetwork.org
- Olympia, WA: Pat Rasmussen-patr@crcwnet.com
- Vancouver: Rachel Palmer-rachelbronwyn@gmail.com
- Denver: Lauren Kimball-solaceskiesproductions@yahoo.com
- Berkeley, CA: Wendy-aokincade@yahoo.com
- Amsterdam: Ingrid van Dam-snowyziggy@gmail.com
10. Pittsburgh, PA: Amanda Young-amndayoung@gmail.com/Michellebuzas@gmail.com
11. Whakatane, New Zealand: Emily-taimamoana@gmail.com
12. Toledo, Ohio: Amber-lilamber411@Gmail.com
13. Philadelphia, PA: Shannon-sodlpn@comcast.net
14. San Diego, CA: Hailey-hailey_bleau@yahoo.com
15. Stockholm, Sweden: Ewakajsa Werngren-ewakajsa1@hotmail.com
16. San Fransico, CA: Kim Flaherty-kflaherty@pacbell.net
17. Toronto, Canada: Bob Timmons-timmons.animal.artist@gmail.com
18. Vancouver Island: Tarah.millen@hotmail.com
19. Glen Falls (Albany), New York: Jessica Ryle adkanimalrights@gmail.com
20. Belgian: Noortje noortjevanvlasselaer@hotmail.com
21. Budapest, Hungary: Tatiana tdemchuk@hotmail.com
22. Orchard Park (Buffalo), New York: Kimberly kgalanti@roadrunner.com
23. St. Lois, Missouri: Sarah Garvin sgarvin314@gmail.com
24. Key West: Kathy Watkins kathy@marketsharecompany.com
25. Portland, Oregon: Rae Wilson raemarie.wilson@comcast.net
26. Traverse City, Michigan: Bailey Hanson Bhanson.np@gmail.com
27. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Christine Swindell whalerider36@comcast.net
28. Melbourne, Australia: Gwen Williams asuka.12@hotmail.com
29. Indianapolis, Indian: Leighann Shropshire shrop87@sbcglobal.net
30. Seattle, Washington: Dianna Comstock dianacomstock@gmail.com
31. Houston, Texas: Amanda and Brian Petrie AmandaMPetrie@gmail.com
32. Sarasota (Bradenton), Florida: Candice Gee (contact via Facebook)
33. Fort Meyers/Naples, Florida: Blakeleigh McEwan blakeleigh.mcewan@gmail.com
34. Brisbane, Australia: Robyn Price mokie485@optusnet.com.au
35. Rome, Italy: Ilaria Ferri (contact via Facebook)
36. Akron, Ohio: Rick Ashline ashlinejr.richard@yahoo.com
37. Waimanalo, Hawaii: Wild Dolphin Foundation tori@wilddolphin.org
38. Victoria, BC, Canada: Diane McNally: freecaptiveorcas@gmail.com
39. New York City, New York: Edda Ness: ecness@legal-aid.org
40. Friday Harbor, Washington: Debbi Fincher fincher@rockisland.com
41. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Andrea Gauzza-Langlie andrea@langlie.com
42. Orlando, Florida: Tommy Mason teamblueflorida@gmail.com
Filed under Action, Lolita, Seaquarium by 
Comments on International Day of Protest for Lolita – May 15, 2010
I’d like to contact our city leader, Christine Swedell. Thanks for your help.
@Kris Elliott: You can reach Christine at: whalerider36@comcast.net