Lolita the orca, the second oldest killer whale in captivity, may finally be returned to the Puget Sound after decades of performing for food as the main attraction at Miami Seaquarium as the clamor to release her grew.
It’s a risky move and wildly expensive, and there’s a lot of red tape. But something had to be done.
Her presence in a tank that seemed obviously too small for the last 50-plus years has been an embarrassment and a sorrow for many in Miami — and increasingly has been considered abusive or just plain wrong. Societal views on wildlife in captivity and performing animals have changed dramatically since Lolita was captured in the Pacific in 1970, but her living situation didn’t really reflect that. She was only retired from performing a year ago.
