Tillikum, captured at age 2, from Iceland in 1983, has a rough past though and even before this incident, trainers were not allowed in the water with him. He is the largest orca in captivity. In 1991, he was accused of drowning his trainer, 20 year old Keltie Byrne, at Sealand of the Pacific (now closed). Then, in 1999, the body of a young man was found floating in Tillikum’s tank one morning.

It is unknown what Tillikum’s fate will be but according to Sea World press conferences, within a few days, the shows will resume as usual. However, even as of July 2010, trainers are still not allowed in the water with the killer whales, even during training sessions and performances.

HERE ARE THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. You may send a comment to Sea World, regarding the attack and the possibility of retiring Tillikum at the link here: https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2945

2. You may also wish to take 2 minutes and comment on this new article about Sea World, Seaquarium, and Lolita:
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/What-About-Lolita-85394102.html

3. Please vote in this poll (the second option) to say that Orcas belong in the wild, not at Sea World:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-poll-killer-whale-seaworld-022510,0,6354939.poll

Thank you for your time and check back for updates.

This Saturday, February 27th, we are having a peaceful PROTEST for Lolita’s retirement from noon to 2 PM outside of the Miami Seaquarium. Banners and leaflets will be provided. Please come to show your support for retiring captive orcas around the world!

Killer whale at park since 1970 capture

By Susannah Bryan
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 8 2009, 7:57 PM EDT

KEY BISCAYNE – It’s a long way from Puget Sound.

But that is where Lolita the killer whale belongs, say more than 30 animal activists who protested Saturday at the Miami Seaquarium.

Instead, she spends her days in a concrete tank flipping for crowds at the popular marine park.

“Every week one of us goes in to check on her,” said Shelby Proie, 24, a Nova Southeastern University student who helped organize the protest. “I go to the tank and tell her we’re trying to get her out.”

Lolita, the park’s 7,000-pound star attraction, has been here since her capture in 1970.

“She’s not going anywhere,” said Michelle Palomino, a spokeswoman for the park.

Lolita, hand-fed daily for the past 39 years, could not survive on her own in the ocean, Seaquarium General Manager Andrew Hertz said in a written statement.

“Lolita is very special and dear to us and she will continue to be an ambassador for her species from her home at Miami Seaquarium,” Hertz said.

Leading the protest Saturday was Ric O’Barry, the Coconut Grove dolphin trainer turned activist who stars in The Cove, a documentary released Friday about the slaughtering of dolphins in Japan.

O’Barry doesn’t believe Lolita should be released into the wild, but rather transferred to a natural sea pen in Puget Sound where she might reunite with her marine family.

“It’s about retiring Lolita and letting her live out the rest of her life in quiet and dignity,” said O’Barry, a former Seaquarium trainer who has campaigned against using dolphins in marine parks. “But they’re going to milk every dollar out of her before she dies.”

Lolita typically performs two shows a day. Park managers estimate her age at 42 to 45 years.

Activists claim she spends most of the time resting lifelessly on the bottom of the tank, bored.

“After the show, the orca just goes and sits in the corner,” said Simon Hutchins, of Fort Lauderdale, who appears in The Cove as expedition director for the Oceanic Preservation Society. “It’s a nightmare for this orca.”

Lolita, who is 21 feet long, lives in a tank 20 feet deep at the deepest point.

Park officials say her tank meets industry standards. Critics counter it’s too small.

Parkgoer Julian Royal, of West Palm Beach, doesn’t buy the notion that dolphins and orcas like Lolita are miserable in captivity.

“They seem to be [happy],” Royal said before entering the park with daughter Sarah, 11.

His reaction did not surprise O’Barry, who figures Royal had not seen his film. If so, he may have thought twice about coming, he said.

“People believe orcas should live in concrete tanks and do stupid dolphin tricks. The Cove is going to change that.”
Copyright © 2009, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-lolita-miami-seaquarium-080809,0,6232966.story
Visit South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com at http://www.sun-sentinel.com

Please be sure to comment on the article an send a “Thank You” letter to the editor for covering this cause. The more intersted we are in this issue to the more the paper will continue to follow our efforts to retire Lolita.

For more pictures of the walk you can visit www.myspace.com/saveouroceansnow and click “pics” then “walk for Lolita”

Lolita in jail

Tomorrow we will be following our schedule of monthly demo’s for Lolita’s retirement in front of the Miami Seaquarium from 12 (Noon) until 1:30/2 PM. I’m looking forward to seeing some new faces this time around and will have flyers to distribute to all that show up so you can hand them out where you live! Remember Lolita needs all of our help and support and the more people that come out the bigger the impact we have on educating people about her conditions at the Miami Seaquarium. Summer is coming along with the blistering sun she will experience without any cover, hurricane season is quickly approaching. The Seaquarium doesn’t have any emergency plans or places to take its animals in the event of a strong hurricane. So come out and support this demo, along with Lolita’s retirement so she won’t have to spend another summer alone in her potentially dangerous tank!

Any Questions? Feel Free to contact Shelby at 412-983-0994 or shelby@savelolita.com

Thanks for helping Lolita!

- Historical Museum of Southern Florida: See more than a million historical photos, maps, journal pages, and antiques from old Florida. Discover this interesting state’s long and exciting past, as well as that of the Caribbean. Special events and exhibits for children and families! www.hmsf.org 

- Wannado City: A theme park for children (aimed at ages 3-14) where they can do what they Wannado! Go on rides, see exciting shows, and let kids’ imaginations run wild with “real-play venues and career possibilities” in the many thrilling exhibits. www.wannadocity.com

- Everglades Safari Park and Rides: See alligators, turtles, fish, marine birds, deer, and dozens of other animals. Take a 30-45 minute Airboat ride through the famous Florida Everglades! See an educational presentation about wildlife. Stroll along a scenic boardwalk trail to view animals up close! Located just 35 minutes away from Miami, an hour from Fort Lauderdale. www.evergladessafaripark.com 

- Miami Balloon Rides: Take a breath-taking hot air balloon ride over Miami, Biscayne Bay, the Everglades, and the Miami Redlands. www.miamiballoonrides.com

- Butterfly World: Largest butterfly park in the world. For over 20 years, more than 10,000 butterflies of 50+ species have been available for the public to view and interact with. Also includes a hummingbird and parrot aviary. www.butterflyworld.com

- Miami Science Museum: See more than 35 fun, interactive, educational exhibits about music, nature, art and more! Visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to see local animals being treated and the Planetarium to view the sky or a special laser show. www.miamisci.org

- Dolphin Mall: Miami’s largest shopping center with over 250 stores, as well as dining and entertainment venues, including several movie theaters, Dave & Buster’s and a bowling alley. Five miles west of the Miami Airport. 

- Thriller Speedboat Tours: Take an exciting speedboat tour through Biscayne Bay, Port of Miami and along Miami Beach. See celebrity mansions and the Florida Lighthouse, as well as wildlife. www.thrillermiami.com 

- Biscayne National Park: See birds, fish, and other amazing marine animals in their natural habitats. Take a glass bottom boat tour, kayak tour, or a scuba diving trip from this beautiful park! Visit the Park Center to go to the museum, art gallery, and educational discovery room. Located on the East end of SW 328th Street. 

- Bayside Marketplace: Browse through more than 150 stands and stores, right along the ocean. Find clothing, artwork, souvenirs, snacks, jewelry and more! Nearby to 14 restaurants and outdoor entertainment! Located on Biscayne Boulevard in Downtown Miami. 

- Children’s Museum: Explore 14 amazing interactive galleries (all bilingual). Exhibits include a two-story “sandcastle of dreams,” a 32-foot rock climbing wall, a kid-sized play supermarket, hospital and bank. Daily arts and crafts for the whole family. www.miamichildrensmuseum.org 

- Miami Art Museum: Thousands of interesting and unique sculptures, paintings, and interactive exhibits by artists such as Ana Mendieta and Morris Louis. www.miamiartmuseum.org

- Crandon Park: Named one of the top ten beaches in the nation. Take ride on the old-fashioned carousel by the ocean, play amongst dozens of marine play sculptures, skate in the outdoor roller rink and sit by the seahorse shaped fountain. Located on Crandon Boulevard in Key Biscayne.

- Fairchild Botanical Garden: Stroll among 83 beautiful acres of plants from around the world in one of the most renowned botanical gardens. See dozens of collections such as The Rainforest and The National Palm and Cycad Collection. Take an educational, narrated (in English or Spanish) tram tour through the park. Visit the butterfly exhibit, lunch café and gift shop. 

- Fruit and Spice Park: One of the only of its kind in the United States – walk among 35 astonishing acres of more than 500 rare fruits, spices, trees, vegetables and flowers. Includes gift shop, tours available. www.fruitandspicepark.org

- Gold Coast Railroad Museum: See dozens of old, historical trains – including the Ferdinand Magellan, made for President Franklin Roosevelt – and interactive educational exhibits. Take real train rides on the weekends! 12450 SW 152nd Street. http://gcrm.org/