February 21-22
Conflicting reports emerge about Lolita’s health
“Lolita”/ Tokitae is still being monitored 24/7. The Seaquarium admits she has her good days and her challenging days. A recent former employee of the Seaquarium says that the situation is critical and that “Toki “ needs to get out of there as soon as her health improves and blames park management for the declining state of her health.
Article: Local10 News
February 28
Lolita the orca may be moving
“Critical will be the findings on Lolita’s pool and stadium, which according to a June USDA report poses a safety hazard to both the animals and the public after the pools and structure were both found in disrepair, work that can’t begin with Lolita and her dolphin tank mates still living there.
“As soon as we get the USDA findings, we are excited to work with the new management team to make sure that she can be safe in her environment and that she can be safely moved,” Levine Cava said. What’s still unclear is where Lolita will go. There is no other habitat in the Seaquarium where she can live, and The Dolphin Company has never owned an orca before…”
Article: Local10 News
March 3
USDA grants license to The Dolphin Company
🚨 .@USDA grants new exhibitors license to The Dolphin Company which has bought the #MiamiSeaquarium on the condition they no longer display #Lolita / #Tokitae or the dolphin that stares her tank. The whale stadium also now permanently closed to the public. 1-2 pic.twitter.com/swINzP4OaS
— Louis Aguirre (@LOUISAGUIRRE) March 3, 2022
March 4
Shows are over for Seaquarium’s killer whale Lolita
“The shows are over for Lolita the killer whale. After five decades as iconic star at Miami Seaquarium, the 7,000-pound orca will no longer perform daring dives, splash spectators or serve as mascot for the marine park on Virginia Key, according to the federal agency that oversees animal attractions.”
Article: Miami Herald
March 7
Activists push for aging orca Lolita to return home
“She’ll need an examination, a complete thorough and pathological examination to make sure she doesn’t’ carry any diseases, and make sure she’s healthy enough to make the trip safely. But now that the performing days are over, there’s more hope and optimism that Tokitae will be home.”
Article: Komo News
