The Oldest Orca in Captivity To Be Released

What’s the story?

• Lolita the orca, who has lived in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium for more than 50 years, is being released to live out the rest of her days in the waters of the Pacific Northwest. 
• After years of pressure from animal rights activists, the aquarium announced its plans during a news conference on Thursday to set the 5,000-pound killer whale free. CEO of the Dolphin Company, Eduardo Albor, said during the news conference: 

“This is a very special day. It is amazing to see how many things you can achieve in one year when actions take place of words.”

• The aquarium signed a deal with the Flordia nonprofit group Friends of Lolita to relocate the orca and received financial assistance from philanthropist and NFL’s Indianapolis Colts owner, Jim Isray. Isray said:

“I’m excited about being a part of Lolita’s journey. Ever since I was a little kid I’ve loved whales, just loved whales because [of] the power, the greatness of them and how gentle they are.”

• For now, Lolita will be relocated to an ocean sanctuary with netting where she can receive care from trainers. 

How captivity harms orca whales 

• Captivity has numerous adverse effects on orca whales, both physical and psychological. 
• The lack of space given in aquarium tanks is a tiny fraction of the size of an orca’s natural habitat, leading to physical problems such as collapsed dorsal fins, dental issues, and skin problems rarely seen in the wild. 
• Orcas are highly social animals. In captivity, isolation can cause stress, anxiety, depression, boredom, and lack of simulation. Captive orcas frequently spend hours motionless or swimming in endless circles, while in the wild, they would spend their days hunting, playing, and exploring, which is critical to their health and development. 
• Captivity shortens orca’s lifespans significantly as they commonly suffer from infections, respiratory issues, and more. The journal Marine Mammal Science found that orcas in captivity have a mortality rate 2.5 times higher than orcas in the wild. The longest-living captive-born orca, Kayla, was only 30 years old — in the wild, she could have lived as old as 80 or 90. 

There are still over 50 orcas in captivity. Do you think they should be released?

-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: Flickr/Data311)