The team at Until Lolita is Home would like to thank everybody who sent an email to decision-makers with our one-click action campaign for Tokitae.
Thank You For Joining Us – 19th August 2022
The team at Until Lolita is Home would like to thank everyone who joined in with our ’52 Years, We Will Carry You’ campaign on August 8 & 12.
We reached 200,000+ on Facebook, have many new followers, and have a growing community dedicated to Toki. We thank you and welcome you all. Hundreds shared our posts, signs and memes; we reached influencers, fashion models with thousands of followers, and the freediving community, creating a wave of awareness for Tokitae.
We also managed to grab the eye of Charles Vinick (The Whale Sanctuary Project, Friends of Lolita) with our one-click action that asked questions about Toki’s daily activities, interactions, and ongoing plans. Using our collective voice, we can and will be heard. Every voice counts. Tokitae, hidden from view, we see you and will continue to fight for you. We WILL carry you.
Until Lolita is Home One-Click Action Campaign – 12th August 2022
Letter to decision-makers
To whom it may concern,
I am grateful for the team that has been brought together for Tokitae’s health and welfare. Thank you for the independent vets and the ongoing reports of Tokitae’s monthly medical examinations.
However, we hear nothing about her daily activities and interactions, and about ongoing plans for her.
I am concerned about her emotional requirements and the need for companionship, stimulation and exercise. These needs are vital for her. The worse thing is to isolate her and allow her to languish. If she feels isolated, she could go downhill physically.
How are you keeping her active, stimulated and interactive?
I would like to know –
1: Not just medically, but how is she doing?
2: How is she responding?
3: What does she do daily?
4: Have you provided shade for Tokitae from exposure to the midday Miami sun?
5: What is the current status of the sea pen? Is it ready in case Toki can be moved?
6: Water quality is vital to Toki’s health; what is the water quality like currently? Has it been improved significantly?
7: Please could you explain what you mean by “environmental enrichment”?
8: Could Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Commissioner Raquel Regalado revisit Tokitae?
It’s been over four months since your last press conference; we would greatly appreciate an update.
Thousands of us love Tokitae. Worldwide, people are watching and praying for her health. The silence and lack of information are difficult to bear.
Success! 15th August 2022
We are pleased to announce that our emails flooded inboxes, and we are grateful to Charles Vinick for responding so quickly!
Mr Vinick of the Whale Sanctuary Project and Friends of Lolita responded with interest, arranging to take to the hot seat on Toki TV to answer our questions.
We now have a clearer insight into her daily activities, health, water quality, and plans for her. The biggest hurdle we will face is the governmental and federal agencies, who will have to approve every step of the way. Vinick also welcomes ongoing questions and suggestions about Toki and her journey. He wants to include everyone who loves her and wants to see her go home.
Using our collective voice, we can and will be heard. Every voice counts.
QUESTION TIMESTAMPS
17:50 – Introduction – The Dolphin Company take over MSQ. Pritam Singh offered to provide resources. Friends of Lolita formed.
24:53 – Not just medically, how is she doing?
37:39 – How do we know the environment didn’t cause her infection? Why can’t she get this care in a sea pen?
49:08 – Howard Garrett – rebuttal of assumptions.
57:41 – Have The Dolphin Company indicated that they are willing to go through with the plan once Toki is healthy?
1:03:19 – Has there been a discussion to move Toki instead of repairing the tank?
1:06:16 – Can we begin to have conversations with Federal agencies?
1:08:00 – Hurricanes and environment.
1:10:18 – Who is watching whom? USDA / lease / license.
1:14:20 – Why is there no sun shade for her?
1:16:40 – Has she been given any live fish? Any Chinook Salmon?
1:19:40 – Medical, physical health & enrichment.
1:22:34 – What about Double Bay? Focus on sites in the San Juans.
1:25:00 – Sea pen.
1:27:10 – Could the sea pen be less expensive if it was in a cove?
1:33:29 – Do the Whale Sanctuary Project want to see this happen?
1:35:10 – Diagnostic tools / collaborating veterniarians.
1:38:07 – Friends of Lolita transparency and public engagement.
1:39:22 – How long would it take to build the sea pen?
1:43:03 – What can we do?
1:46:33 – When was the last time you saw her?
1:47:09 – Toki Crusade – Gratitude box to Mr Singh.
Header image (c) Lawrence Curtis
Join the Until Lolita is Home Movement
Until Lolita is Home is a grassroots movement that advocates for the retirement of Lolita, the orca, from the Miami Seaquarium. By raising awareness about Lolita (and ALL captive cetaceans), we hope one-day Tokitae (her original name) will see her home waters again. We are an all-volunteer group with members located around the world.
Starting in May 2015, Until Lolita is Home (formerly Shut Down Palace) hosted rallies at dozens of locations in the United States and abroad, including the Miami Seaquarium and numerous other Palace Entertainment-owned sites. These events received worldwide coverage and pushed Palace Entertainment to release their first statement EVER regarding Lolita since they purchased the Miami Seaquarium.
