Lolita (orca)

Lolita, originally known as Tokitae, is an Orca at the Miami Seaquarium. She is the oldest captive Orca, and at the age of about six years old was captured on August 8 1970 at Penn Cove, Puget Sound, off the coast of Washington. Before capture, she was a member of the L-25 pod. The Penn Cove capture has become controversial due to the large number of wild Orcas that were taken (seven), and the number of deaths that resulted (four juveniles, as well as one adult female who drowned when she became tangled in a net while attempting to reach her calf). Lolita vocalizes in captivity in the unique calls used only by her pod.

Lolita now

Lolita is still apparently healthy and in good shape. She is a large Orca, measuring 22 feet and weighing in at 7,500 pounds. Ever since Lolita arrived at the Miami Seaquarium, she has lived in their "Whale and Dolphin Stadium." Lolita does not live with any other orca whales. She performs 1-2 shows daily.

External links

* [http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/ Miami Seaquarium official site]
* [http://www.miamiseaprison.com/ Miami Seaprison official site]
* [http://www.orcanetwork.org/captivity/captivity.html Orca Network]
* [http://www.btinternet.com/~Jess.Jones/miamisq.htm Letter from Seaquarium concerning Lolita]

References