Lolita to be freed after decades

She's the Orca that's been delighting audiences at the Miami Seaquarium for decades. But it's not as simple as just releasing her into the ocean as some are saying it's the "wrong" thing to do.
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#GMA #lolita #orca #miamiSeaquarium

[@CG-gp2gc]

It is disturbing, but true to people who are abusive, to say that this animal has been "so loved", as she was literally kidnapped from her family and watched these "loving people" kill her family, forced to swim in a chlorinated small swimming pool, fed medically treated dead fish, and work a job she did not sign up to do for over 50-years...😮

[@downtown82]

"She doesn't like change..." What change did this woman provide her? A different pool? No... A different way to swim around this pool? Cheaper food? Another orca to live with? People like this trainer...

[@cicicorleo]

😢😢😢 so disturbing. It's the same as saying a child who was kidnapped is "so loved" by their exploiter. Omg!

[@CG-gp2gc]

@@cicicorleo I agree...

[@Mouse_Metal]

She needs to make up some excuses for abusing orcas. It is unfortunately highly likely Lolita will not be able to handle open sea well after so many years in captivity, but it only proves how mentally damaged she has become from the terrible conditions. People who are released from prison after many years also experience phobia from large open spaces, traffic, crowds...

[@snowflake2910]

​@@cicicorleo Anyone who does anything wrong and tries to defend it does this. Addicts, rapists. Killers. They jump mental hoops to convince themselves they are right.

[@sjlaing]

It’s really sad that her trainer can justify this as love. It wasn’t love. It was for entertainment. This poor orca has had a horrible life. I hope she can survive the trip and be free.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Sammie, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@outoftime7740]

@@mackraewatrous3561 Nothing wrong happened to Kieko. Captivity killed Kieko.

[@lisamueller7026]

Finally! She shouldn't have been stolen from the wild in the first place. We need to empty all the tanks! It is about time we show them compassion and respect.

[@CJ55981]

Not all tanks. Just 3, including this one. Leave imprint whales where they are safe.

[@julicane2975]

She will die like Keiko did if she’s put back into the wild. They’re just doing this to get rid of the protesters. She should really be sent to one of the seaworlds.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Lisa, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@lisamueller7026]

@@mackraewatrous3561 I have, I also saw The Cove and Blackfish. I follow the drive season in Taiji and the Grindrap in the Faroe Islands. It breaks my heart. We need to leave them be. Wild and free like they should be. #tillalltanksareempty

[@arielthepom]

@@mackraewatrous3561 they should all still be free! His experience isn’t very Ocras

[@josiecamilo7098]

This makes me cry. Prayers 🙏 for her safe return. She's a majestic beautiful animal that deserves freedom life and love.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Josie, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@JoachimIversen]

Just to clearify: Lolita is far from the oldest Orca in the world. She might be the oldest in captivity, but in the wild, they live around 100 years. In captivity, they rarely live longer than 25 years.

[@julicane2975]

Actually Lolita’s sister Corky is also the oldest orca in captivity. They are the same age.

[@LeDoctoer]

They don't live anywhere near 100 years. Stop repeating that nonsense.

[@Jay-jb2vr]

Where you get your information from??

[@quinnparker749]

@@LeDoctoer I mean they just said her mom was still alive and was over 90 years old lol

[@tellemonhigh4634]

@@quinnparker749 that's an outlier not the rule

[@butterflylofu]

They waited until she was 50+ and too ill to perform to finally set her free. Humans are the worst. Captured at 4, what do they expect about her survival rate now in the ocean. And her mother at 90 years old and still alive so I doubt it was their care that kept that captive Orca alive.

[@LeDoctoer]

There is no evidence that L25 is her mother.

[@shaynejenkins446]

There has never been a successful release of a captive Orca. They have all died within months of release.

[@Pawsz]

yeah for some reason this feels like their incentive for releasing her now is to save themselves money

[@Emily-nf9kf]

"she's lived so long because of amazing care" lies, her age is likely due to genetics if her mother is 90 years old. go live in a concrete room with no human contact, a bad diet, dirty air, be forced to perform for others, and have nothing to do when you're not eating/being forced to perform/sleeping if you think it's such "amazing care"

[@anthonyhenriques3564]

Selfish human being.. lost her chance to stay quiet

[@cicicorleo]

Beyond sad. A true example of sickness in humanity. Of course anyone with a brain knows they've lied for the money. Even the "trainer" has no conscience and takes no accountability for her part. She is still going with the script.

[@Mouse_Metal]

Some people also live to high age in prison. According to her logic it means living in prison is great.

[@pattimiller9157]

Exactly..that trainer is a disgusting human and should shut her big mouth ..the animals don't belong to us. God bless those who WILLSAVE HER!

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Emily, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@giagill8749]

i gasped when i saw this video pop up. im so happy she will be leaving there. sadly kiska, who was in captivity in canada just recently passed. my hope is that other orcas/whales/dolphins (especially kshamenk in argentina) get the life they all deserve

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Gia, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@jay_blade2819]

I want to see her free but my question is can she handle being out in the open, because she been domesticated for along time

[@jay_blade2819]

@Trry331 what the heck are you talking about 🤔 I’m lost on this

[@anastasiawinters4455]

elsa the lion was set free after being years in captivity and did fine there are other dolphins to like that but she will stay in a seapen if nothing goes right

[@lostwanderer6649]

Captive orcas can be released fine, she was born there, so she'll live

[@Flowesomecat]

@@lostwanderer6649 Yes, she was born in an open ocean, but can she handle after being in captivity for a long time?

[@lostwanderer6649]

@@Flowesomecat I believe she could, not without risk, but the benefit outweighs the risks. There is precedent for both scenarios. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqTOnYqwobCbj6s

[@cuzimnotlaughing]

50 years in a tiny prison. That feels like a lifetime sentence in a human prison. May she enjoy the beautiful ocean out there!

[@mackraewatrous3561]

thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@Pawsz]

Please, watch the story of what happened to Keiko from free willy - he was so used to humans as his family he kept seeking human company out, and he never integrated with a herd. He spent his final years free in the wild, but he was simply not conditioned for it and he did not survive more than a few years, in which he did not get to experience family life with other orcas, he was often lonely. what Keiko went through was a result of being removed from the wild in the first place - humans conditioned him to need them, and they had a duty to him for his lifetime. Transporting him from the aquarium to the other side of the world, into waters that were colder than he was used to and left on his own without guidance or intact instinct would have been traumatizing, and very unfair to him. Did Keiko understand what was happening to him? What if he felt abaondoned? There were alternatives they could have considered for Keiko, I don't know if Lolita is getting those considerations either. Im scared the owners focus on costs and profits is undermining utmost quality of care. please.

[@StardustAsia]

Let's all hope & pray she can survive after 50 yrs of captivity. I really hope a pod accepts her. Don't forget what they did to Keiko. RIP

[@maralonent6257]

Looks like most people ARE forgetting (or not caring) what happened to Keiko.

[@hannahburke7328]

​@@maralonent6257I Care And Remember Keiko! 🐬

[@outoftime7740]

Captivity already shortened Kieko's life. Had absolutely nothing to do with placing that massive ocean animal back to where he belonged. Kieko was able to feel his home waters for 6 years. That was a success. The orca was close to death in captivity.

[@StardustAsia]

@@outoftime7740 Keiko was fully released in 2002 and died in 2003. Yeah, he had some "training" for a few years but only survived a year in the actual wild. Regardless, I pray for this baby's survival

[@outoftime7740]

@AsiaJasmin For the first 20 years of Keiko’s life, he lived in an extremely tiny tank, meant for dolphins. He couldn’t dive, or barely move. He lived in warm chlorinated water. Living in this horrible confinement caused a lot of stress on Keiko’s life and ruined his immune system. Even though in 96 he was put into a larger tank, it’s still a horrible confinement for that massive ocean animal. When Keiko finally went home in 98, he was able to feel his own natural environment. Keiko was able to swim across the Atlantic, venturing over a 1000 miles and living free and dying where he belonged is all that mattered. Captivity killed Keiko, which left him with a very weak immune system. His time was already very limited. Kieko should have never been released alone. Seaworld should have given an orca they had, to be released with Kieko. Those idiot people who Seaworld sent there to make Keiko’s journey unsuccessful, so the public wouldn’t demand Seaworld to follow this same great deed, with their orcas. So they never attempted to find Kiekos family and they also, put a large tracking device on Kieko, which made him look very strange to other orcas. You don’t put tracking devices on free whales. These massive ocean animals don’t belong in freaking swimming pools, on land, period.

[@Shadamyfan-rs8xc]

I hope that Lolita can see her mom again soon 🥹

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Shadamyfan, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@Shadamyfan-rs8xc]

@@mackraewatrous3561 I believe I did watch that a few years ago

[@outoftime7740]

@@mackraewatrous3561 ya Seaworld made that b.s.

[@suzannalytle2758]

It would be nice to see Lolita and L25 Ocean Sun interact I am sure she will be able to communicate with them even from inside her Sea Pen. Whether or not she ever takes that next step out of the Sea Pen and into the wild is up to Lolita. Even if she decides to stay in the sea pen for the rest of her life it will be a far better quality of life.

[@outoftime7740]

@@suzannalytle2758 did you hear when this is going to take place. When is Lolita leaving the dumpaquarium?

[@Draolven]

I refused to watch them perform at Sra World My parents could let understand why 7 year old me burst into tears and thought I was afraid of the whales. I just felt such empathy. Imagine swimming in such a tiny space when you are meant to roam the world's oceans

[@wittleMermaid13]

Thank you to the NFL owner of the Colts for his generosity! I hope other millionaires/billionaires are inspired to help the other captive orca - at least the ones that have known family pods in the wild with the best chance of survival if able to be rehabbed/reunited with their family!

[@shaynejenkins446]

Never has a captive orca been released and not die within months. Its never been successful.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Linde, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@_elaineee_]

@@shaynejenkins446 tbh death would be more humane for her at this point than living in the hell that is her current "home"

[@fancyfree8599]

@@shaynejenkins446 she's capable of living in a sea-pen under human care. The seawater and space will work wonders for her. No need to release her to the wild totally. At her age she may not adapt. She will be observed to see if she or her pod/mother recognise each other.

[@outoftime7740]

@@shaynejenkins446 How many captive orcas have ever been released? One……. Kieko……. And captivity killed Kieko. Not putting that massive ocean animal back where he belonged. For 6 years Kieko got to feel his home waters, his own natural environment. Because captivity caused Kieko to have a weak immune system. Kiekos time was already limited. Kieko got to swim acrossed the Atlantic, swim a thousand miles and died where he belonged, is all that mattered. So stop talking b.s.

[@lizarrrdbeth]

OMG this gave me the chillz!!! I want to cry. How wonderful! Gosh I hope she gets there. It would be so magical!!!

[@carolineneisha]

I'm a few videos in and I am bawling 😭 Truly hope that everything works out so that she can be as happy and healthy as possible!

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Beth, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@mackraewatrous3561]

@@carolineneisha thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@outoftime7740]

@@mackraewatrous3561 oh go away with your Seaworld b.s.

[@GRAZYGRACE]

I’d rather die in freedom than die in prison! And Living long doesn’t mean happiness and life

[@turtletalkwithteja]

It's really sad that we think it's okay to take animals for what ever reasons we want, especially entertainment. She should have never been taken in the first place.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Team, you are absolutely right! Thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@ansumathews9712]

I am truly happy for the beautiful Lolita!! ❤️ She should be given a chance to go back to her natural habitat. A small tank can never make these creatures happy. At least, Keiko got a chance to enjoy the freedom and hang out with trainers and local people without being forced. Though she had to experience loneliness. We tortured them for our happiness and entertainment. So it’s our responsibility to take care of them. Let the poor thing unite with her mother. Salute to the team, trainers, and funders, for taking care of Keiko. Praying Lolita will also be blessed with good care and affection.

[@cme8174]

I pray to the Universe that her return goes smoothly and Lolita can happily reunite and spend many more years with her mother orca!!!

[@mackraewatrous3561]

I see you! thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@outoftime7740]

@@mackraewatrous3561 Seaworld b.s.

[@KatDenton-sc4ho]

The universe is not a living being, it cannot hear you. Only God answers prayers

[@lorrainenorth6907]

She deserves the chance of freedom, please don't keep her in the prison she's in. The trainer said " They don't like change" well she was taken from her family & that in itself was definitely a humongous change, she needs her family, like we do. 🙏 please start her journey back home soon. x

[@play_kitkat]

Really hope she makes it through and may she have a pod that accepts her

[@crimsonrose1508]

Hopefully she finds her mom's pod. Rarely do Orcas in the wild ever leave their mom's side, the family usually stays together their whole lives. Orca pods also have a special dialect in their language for each pod thats different towards others. You put two captive orcas from different pods together they rarely will team up and be buddy buddy. Cause they can't understand each other

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Playana and crimson, , thank you for your care and big hearts❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Thank you for what you’ve written here, crimson ❤️

[@crimsonrose1508]

@@mackraewatrous3561 already watched it, after my rewatch of blackfish.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

@@crimsonrose1508 I know that’s why I responded specifically to you to say thank you 😊 thank you for staying informed and for your big heart

[@jenkuc1797]

Keiko was returned to his natural area and didn't live long after that. He was doing well at the Oregon aquarium, after he was rescued from his original "prison". It's good that these beautiful orca's aren't being kidnapped for our entertainment anymore!

[@kylemoua]

I agree, I fear we are going to get another Keiko story.

[@GG-kn2se]

In China they kidnap them still. These shows and parks are gaining popularity there.

[@yogosapphire]

I see how you mentioned Free Willy without bringing up the fact that Keiko was released and died in the wild after failing to re-acclimate. Clever…

[@Lazyspaceout]

And unless the mother recognizes her she won't make it, they live together for LIFE and won't accept new members they only leave to mate then go back home. So she's screwed

[@shaynejenkins446]

There has never been a successful release of a captive orca. They have all died within a year of release.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Thank you all of you for being apart of this conversation. It’s wild how humans guilt can take over logic and experience

[@outoftime7740]

@@shaynejenkins446 will you people stop. Orcas are dying in captivity at 1 yrs, 3 yrs, 5 yrs, 8, yrs and 10 yrs old. Captivity kills. Kieko was a success. He lived 5 years in his own natural environment. Kieko swam across the Atlantic Ocean, swam for a 1000 miles and died where he belonged. That’s all that mattered. Only Seaworld says it wasn’t a success. Because the public would demand them doing the same to the orcas they have and stole.

[@kylemoua]

@@outoftime7740 he died alone without a pod. Fail.

[@outoftime7740]

Thanks to Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, football team for allowing this to happen. He is a awesome man, for caring. I don't want to hear one person crying about this either. Anyone who thinks she shouldn't go home, is an idiot. And shame on you.

[@chickybluetherealone]

Man does not know better. Free Lolita.~

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Chicky Blue, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@cormacbowman6595]

This is the best news I’ve heard in years!

[@AJ.9.25]

After what happened with Keiko I could see why there may be concerns about putting Lolita back in the ocean. If she is like Keiko and wants to be around people the adjustment might be too hard for her. Orcas are pod animals. She will need to be with a pod to be happy. Thankfully her mother is still alive and they know where to find her. Depending on their interactions it may be the help she needs to reintegrate into a pod and ocean life.

[@LeDoctoer]

There's no evidence that L25 is Lolita's mother

[@suzannalytle2758]

It will be interesting to see L-25 reaction to Lolita. Ocean Suns' other offspring died (tsunami) and both of Tsunamis calves have also died. Ocean Sun is the only one left right now of her immediate family.

[@LeDoctoer]

@@suzannalytle2758 L25 is not Lolita's mother

[@bonniefitzsimmons9609]

At least give the whale some dignity to die out in the wild it’s better than dying in a stupid small ass tank with your kidnappers!!

[@hayles023]

Finally! Wooo! I have been waiting for this. I know that she would love to be free, but also with being in there for decades makes me nervous. I have always been upset that she had been locked up in a small pool. Sad.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Haley, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@asiadread4902]

I’m rooting for you Lolita ❤

[@ComicPhreak]

She will be in a sanctuary and she needs relearn her basic instinct. I hope she fairs better than Keiko did.

[@Sunrise-fr9jb]

Everyone who has concerns has clearly never looked into or knows any information about Lolita or the scantuary

[@kylemoua]

You ever hear of Keiko?

[@johngalactus4014]

Wow, 5 decades in a "cage"... that's so sad

[@ThisTall]

Let her go, even if it kills her. It’s nobodies business how freedom will effect her, freedom is her right.

[@demarcusharrison3609]

Thank you!

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Eternal Dreams, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@DUBSTEP_KUSH305]

RIP Lolita😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@kylemoua]

Bad idea, remember Keiko’s story? Same thing, he was released into a sanctuary until he was fit enough for the open sea. He never joined a pod when released and wondered on his own often seeking human interaction. He died in the wild only after 5 years, alone. You can’t take a wild animal at a young age, cage it and then throw it back into the wild expecting it to thrive when it’s only known human touch for 95% of its life. I hope I’m wrong and we don’t receive another Keiko story. It feels like they made their money with her and now it’s time to take her to the dump. Sad.

[@GG-kn2se]

The difference is they know where her pod is. And they will recognise her. With Keiko they didn’t know where his pod was and that’s why he didn’t make it. Her life right now isn’t worth living. It’s better to try.

[@kylemoua]

@@GG-kn2se lots of “ifs” but it’s better then dying in a tank.

[@LuluWulf19]

❤ So beautiful specially when they are free.

[@Elle99-o6g]

Slavery is real-

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Ursula, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@chantellewilson9497]

This is wonderful. Poor creature never should have been locked up in the first place.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Chantelle, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@DaisyPusher]

Hope she finds a support system in the ocean 🥺 that woman saying how loved she is either delusional or gaslighting. That’s a very abused animal for the sake of greed and tourism. Can’t wait until keeping orcas becomes completely abolished and this won’t be an issue anymore

[@texanlady4]

This tried this once. The whale was not accepted by wild whales and died quickly and alone. Not sure how this will work. Just don’t take anymore whales from the ocean and let the practice die out.

[@EmelyPhan]

Orcas are dolphins and not whales. I think they are called killer whales cause they eat large sharks and were thought to be large whales. Also, Aren't there those dolphin sanctuaries somewhere along to Pacific Coast? Like in San Francisco Bay?

[@anastasiawinters4455]

elsa the lion was set free after being years in captivity and did fine there are other dolphins to like that but she will stay in a seapen if nothing goes right

[@EmelyPhan]

@@anastasiawinters4455 Also, there are tons of former circus animals that are in sanctuaries and many orphaned elephants that are reintroduced into the wild with a herd of elephants that are around the same age as the elephant.

[@jenniferromero571]

It's better then die in nature than in a tank or by sea world because they decided enough is enough.. we need to put sea world out of business.

[@ilikeminecraftgaming9331]

Her mother is still alive,and her pod.That probably increases her chances of being excepted of 90%.

[@sondradouris7001]

It’s unfortunate 50 years later their going to re-introduce her . She is already , had been in captivity for years and suffered greatly . She doesnt know how to be a normal animal. She didnt deserve to be taken away. And if she doesnt live , its due to the people who took her and thats so unfortunate.

[@Luigii1087]

Why now? Because she is over 50 years old. This should of been done years ago. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@ink_pink_octopus]

The Miami Seaquariums first orca and former tank mate of Tokitae, Hugo, committed suicide. He had a habit of ramming his head against their tank wall and he finally hit hard enough to cause a brain aneurysm. That was 1980 and Tokitae has been without another orca tank mate since. Her pod, the L Pod, is led by the matriarch L25, known as Ocean Sun and hypothesized to be Toki's mother. Humans have been neglecting and extorting these cetaceans for decades. All captive cetaceans deserve to be retired to ocean sea pens so they can enjoy the life they have left. They don't deserve to die lifelessly in their cement prisons.

[@annacanada7545]

"Well taken care of"? No. That orca was put in a fish bowl. No orca in that type of environment, on their own, in such a tiny enclosure is "well taken care of".

[@sienna5083]

The biggest concern they face if she is approved is the stress of travel, at 57 years old she is the oldest orca in captivity. She may not be officially approved because of the diseases she carries, which could affect wildlife and other orcas, due to her getting many illnesses over the years. Now if she is approved and makes the travel they might just permanently keep her in a sea pen to reduce the risk to her and wild orcas. Now the L-pod does have a 90yr old orca, but it does not guarantee that it is her mother or a relative that would recognize her. She also can not be placed in another pod because orcas have different dialects and there are 74 individual orcas left with her dialect, in the L-pod. Now they have tried this before with "Free Willy", Keiko, but he got sick and died. He did follow a pod of orcas, but his need for human companionship showed that he could not integrate with the pod. He was in a sea pen from 1998-2002 and was wild from 2002-2003 when he died.

[@lostwanderer6649]

Yeah, captive orcas have been proven to do well once released. Plus she wasn't born in captivity. She'd probably would want to see her mother before she goes too since she was old enough to imprint her. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqTOnYqwobCbj6s

[@meowzers1427]

@@lostwanderer6649 This link is misleading, they were 10 orcas from the same pod, and only held for 1 year. It is very different to an orca that has been captive in an amusement park for over 20 something years. The only captive orca to be realised ever is Keiko and that went horribly, I really hope this release goes better but I feel she would be better in a sanctuary-type situation.

[@lostwanderer6649]

@@meowzers1427 The link shows a once captive female orca from Russian whale-jail 2018, likely born in captivity then released, now in a pod not origianlly hers participating as a member. Can Google that yourself for verification. A sanctuary compared to a sanctuary pen in the ocean where her original pod still swims can't be any worse. Atleast her pod has a chance to reunite, as she was born in the wild.

[@meowzers1427]

@@lostwanderer6649 I did google which is why I said it's misleading, they were captured in 2018 and only held for one year. 'The whale jail saga began late in 2018, when a conglomerate of four Russian fishing companies obtained legal permission from the Russian government to capture the whales.' It's horrible either way, but it's not a comparable example of a successful release, hopefully, they are correct and it is in fact her original pod, Keiko had 60 failed attempts to integrate into a pod and ended up being alone for the 5 years he was free, he instead would go up to humans for companionship and even allow kids to ride on his back, as that's all he knew and then died a lonely death. I think Lolita should be released with her kin to give them a better chance at survival and happiness but that's not going to happen unfortunately.

[@sienna5083]

@@lostwanderer6649 that is a very different situation. Lolita herself has been capitive for 50 yrs and 45 of those years have been at the Miami seaquarium. So it is clear she wouldn't do well and may end up like Keiko, never leave and die, IF she survives the trip at all. Now I suggest doing a shorter trip and keeping her in a sea pen closer to where she already is. This reduces the stress and how long she would have to travel for and when at the sea pen she will always have a human so she is not lonely.

[@JenJams1]

Her mother is elderly, still residing in Puget sound. I hope they work fast so they can gift her back to her mother, so they can swim together once more before she passes.

[@shanaedyer]

I want to see her free so much, but I don't think she will survive in the water for a long time. She's been in a enclosed space for too long.

[@anastasiawinters4455]

elsa the lion was set free after being years in captivity and did fine there are other dolphins to like that but she will stay in a seapen if nothing goes right

[@lostwanderer6649]

And she was born free, shouldn't she die surrounded by loved ones she still knows?

[@cicicorleo]

She'll survive just fine it's just a lie they tell so they can continue to abuse and exploit the animal while playing the hero.

[@GitanAnimex]

​​@@lostwanderer6649 well if she doesn't manage to adapt wild life she may die alone in the ocean

[@Lazyspaceout]

​@@anastasiawinters4455 Yeah again you can't compare a lion to an orca two different animals with Completely different social structures

[@blindkimberly1360]

I can’t believe this might finally happen. Something I’ve hoped for years! One minute of freedom is worth more than a lifetime in a cage. After Tilikum’s death I gave up hope. It’s about time for sweet Lolita. Past time.

[@j.johnson7296]

Agreed!

[@Paradiseislonely]

I hope Lolita finds her mum and they are never separated again

[@carenwebb9044]

Well taken care of?? How is it well taken care of living alone in a tiny pool that isn't big enough,made to perform????

[@Lisafrank97]

She never should have been taken from her mom😢

[@marcs8395]

She’s not one of the oldest cause she was taken care of she was kidnapped. Yes she might not survive in the ocean cause of the harm humans did not she deserves freedom.

[@crystalspears465]

I of course, love the idea of draining the tanks and setting these incredible creatures free. HOWEVER, this is, in no means going to be a simple process. She has been in captivity for far too long. She has been living in chlorinated, still water. She most likely, has no idea how to hunt and provide for herself. Her immune system is not going to be up to par. And sadly, this is the case with most captive orcas. They simply can't survive in the wild anymore w/o extensive rehabilitation and even then it's rarely successful. Look what happened to Kieko. I hope she can make it but I am skeptical.

[@arielg814]

FREE LOLITA!! She should have never been separated from her pod to begin with!! Capturing animals for “human entertainment” is just wrong! Protect animals in their natural habitat, not a man made encloser!!

[@tennillewilson5077]

I hope that this Orca has a healthy and easy time acclimating! I'm really excited for her! Yay to this!

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Tennille, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@tennillewilson5077]

@@mackraewatrous3561 hi and great day to you! The name Keiko sounds familiar, I will watch. Is it a film by you? Have you seen the movie " Blackfish"?

[@tennillewilson5077]

@@mackraewatrous3561 I did a little research before my first comment. Understand that I understand you completely. My initial comment on this story is pure optimism because that is me🤷🏾‍♀️

[@AndiSchneider]

Praise God, she will get to feel what the ocean is like again. How can you think she is better off in that horrible tank. There is no doubt that her mom will remember her, these animals have a part of the brain they use that humans don’t that increase their emotional bond. In the wild most of them will never leave their moms. The fact that her mom is still alive in her 90’s shows how places like SeaWorld lie to try and make people believe that their life expectancy is only like 50-60yrs, which is completely false. That is how long they live in captivity not the ocean. These animals are so social and she has been all alone for so long, it’s sad. She’s finally got a chance to be where she should’ve been all along…in the ocean.

[@liquidsnake321]

This is going to be like the Shawshank Redemption with Brooks being released from prison after 50 years into a world he doesn't know, with no friends or family, and he's all lost and doesn't know what to do. That's what this feels like.

[@Pawsz]

Please, watch the story of what happened to Keiko from free willy - he was so used to humans as his family he kept seeking human company out, and he never integrated with a herd. He spent his final years free in the wild, but he was simply not conditioned for it and he did not survive more than a few years, in which he did not get to experience family life with other orcas, he was often lonely. what Keiko went through was a result of being removed from the wild in the first place - humans conditioned him to need them, and they had a duty to him for his lifetime. Transporting him from the aquarium to the other side of the world, in waters that were colder than he was used to and left on his own without guidance or inside instinct would have been traumatizing, and very unfair to him. Did Keiko understand what was happening to him? What if he felt abaondoned? There were alternatives they could have considered for Keiko, I don't know if Lolita is getting those considerations either. Im scared cost is undermining utmost quality of care.

[@j.johnson7296]

You might be right. The question is, is it worth the risk?

[@greggreg2263]

I hope they get her into the open ocean and she calls her mama and her mama comes to her🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Greg, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@maralonent6257]

They did ALL these things for Keiko (Willy) as well and it did NOT work. Keiko went off with his old pod in the area, but came back. These animals should be free, but in cases where they’ve been in captivity for so long they should just have or build a huge, more natural enclosure and let them live the last of their life in peace. Of course people want to jump on “doing the right thing”, just don’t be fooled that this media opportunity of “good will” is automatically what’s best for the poor whale.

[@dvm1313]

Set her free!

[@valiant_selene]

I'm glad they're putting her in a sanitary . She can start the process of being on her own. Captured orcas on entertainment should be illegal anyway.

[@PNWTravels]

Her mom is still here. She deserves a chance to be reunited

[@LeDoctoer]

no she isn't

[@lilbit5672]

Please keep us updated .

[@lillyess385]

She's 57. Let her spend her final days where she was born.

[@Ash2theB]

Wow finally an update.

[@nimsaj8534]

Keiko has lived 5 years in the ocean. Its possible for other orcas too, to live in freedom, if not Keiko would have died earlier. Lolita has a right to be free! Nobody can decide otherwise. She suffers all her life and that must come to an end. I hope so much that she will be in the ocean again, its a big wish of mine and a hope for all other orcas in captivity who are tormented for the entertainment of people. Sorry for my bad english, iam from germany.

[@Lazyspaceout]

No she will die and five years is not an accomplishment if you knew how orca worked as animals you know why she'll die

[@LeDoctoer]

No he didn't. Read killing Keiko.

[@maralonent6257]

Keiko stayed around people and was fed by them until he died

[@shaynejenkins446]

There has never been a successful release of a captive Orca. They have all died within months of release.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

NimSaj, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@Icarus_II]

They believe Her mother is 90, that's an incredible age for an Orca to live to...she's been waiting for her daughter to return all these years.

[@crimsonrose1508]

Really hoping she finds her mom's pod. Rarely do Orcas in the wild ever leave their mom's side, the family usually stays together their whole lives. Orca pods also have a special dialect in their language for each pod thats different towards others. You put two captive orcas from different pods together they rarely will team up and be buddy buddy. Cause they can't understand each other, a big reason on why Keiko besides already being sick to begin with, didn't thrive with other Orcas they couldn't understand each other.

[@LeMcCHarStar4ever]

This 3 minute news clip covers up so much. Please read "Of Orcas and men" to get the full story on Lolita. It is not as dangerous as people think introducing her back to her home waters. Scientists have been studying this FOR YEARS. This isn't new. All they have been waiting for is a chance. She is the key to prove that you can reintroduce orcas back into the wild in their home waters. Keiko was the first step. Also, her home for the past 40 years in Miami has been a DISGRACE. Nothing good about it. She should have died long ago. Please, LET LOLITA FREE!

[@LeDoctoer]

What scientists would those be?

[@maralonent6257]

You should read the *full* story on Keiko. This whale is at great risk of misery and death just so that a bunch of humans can feel better on its behalf. Caution. Support what’s best for the animal, not your emotions.

[@shaynejenkins446]

There has never been a successful release of a captive Orca. They have all died within months of release.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

thank you for your care and big heart❣️there has never been a successful orca release. Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@sofiafleming1576]

She is not one of the oldest whales in the world, she is one of the oldest whales in captivity.

[@Lucy-xl3jc]

Capture Orcas for shows should be prohibited! That is slavery!

[@rainbowstarmced191]

What about all the animals crammed in factories and are killed to feed you? That’s even worse!

[@susisiebert5942]

She clearly looks sad

[@stephaniecedeno8467]

the owner is full of it to be honest because he’s been offered money for years… It’s all about money for him. Someone must’ve given him the right price. Not only that but she’s been sick and now she’s alot older. That is why he’s letting this happen now. Let her be free even if he survives 5 years anything is better then continuing in solitary confinement… A former employee for the aquarium snitched that they’re not giving her proper care…. Sorry but this all makes me so emotional…

[@lizsays3324]

Park was sold last year. You're right, the old greedy owner has nothing to do with this.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Stephanie, thank you for your care and big heart❣️

[@southernbelle2478]

Mabey they could get her mom and her together first then let them both out so her mom could be with her

[@mm7846]

🙏

[@sylviagarcia5505]

Poor thing she is no more use for them any more

[@Back.a26]

She won't last long in the wild with how long they kept her in captivity😢

[@j.johnson7296]

You might be right, but I hope she enjoys whatever amount of time she has left in a better place than where she is now.

[@kevinpchandra]

of course they released her after she squeezed all her youth... damn you seaworld...

[@emmag9362]

You going to see her was a huge part of the problem! People supporting this over the years is why more animals were captured & why they weren't released. And as for the trainer trying to justify things... Argh...

[@williamgarcia2424]

That’s the whole problem… they are the once paying for her to stay there. 😡😡😡🤬😡🤬 it makes me so mad 😠

[@lilbit5672]

Nobody told y'all to have her like that for all these years.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Lil bit, agreed! thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@IceDanWIR]

When though???

[@j.johnson7296]

Good question. I read it could be between a year and a half and two years.

[@andromedaoak4219]

How is she gonna survive out their? 😔😥

[@anastasiawinters4455]

elsa the lion was set free after being years in captivity and did fine there are other dolphins to like that but she will stay in a seapen if nothing goes right

[@lostwanderer6649]

She has a family unit still alive..she speaks their dialect of their regions language. I'm sure she'd rather that type of, elderly people like to be around family when they die, way.

[@Flowesomecat]

@@lostwanderer6649 I really hope that she will find her mother, if she remembers her...

[@tessallison4580]

@@Flowesomecat orcas are extremely intelligent and emotional and social. the memories for her and her mother might be foggy but it’s likely they still remember each other

[@Flowesomecat]

@@tessallison4580 I hope so, freedom of an animal is important but it'll be better to see them reunite with their family!

[@samantharose8744]

I feel like after they are done using her for their own profit, they the are just dumping her in the water & going "good luck. Have fun fending for yourself & fighting to survive on your own." So sickening! I hope she truly is okay & lives to be over 100.

[@wolfygrl24]

They’re not just dumping her on her own. They explained how she is going into a netted but very very large sea pen and will have people to watch over her and she’ll be able to re learn how to live in a wild environment and catch food on her own. The nets are designed to keep the orca in but small fish can swim through. Only if she does well and is healthy enough would they consider releasing her back to her native waters and with her original family.

[@LJ777]

How is she so taken care of in that little ass tank

[@CarlosLopez-ho5yj]

Just free her already

[@stephanieortiz6208]

I don’t think she should have been taken from her home in the first place but I’m worried about her survival/coping since she hasn’t been in open waters in over 50yrs.

[@missaamane8580]

She was not well taken care of.. why are yall lying.. do you see that tank ?!?!?!?!?!?

[@beatpirate8]

If her mom is here. Why did they take care? It’s so sad what humans have done to animals. I hope we continue to grow and be humane and release these magnificent creatures to the wild. I hope she has a deeper knowing inside her and will be able to thrive and enjoy the freedom that wS taken away in her childhood.

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Stella, thank you for your care and big heart❣️Please watch the 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”

[@horse-lover68]

It is the RIGHT thing to do!! She will be in a sanctuary with HUMAN CARE, VET CARE and all she need''s ! And don't tell me it will stress her. She is stressed since she was captured!! This female trainer LEFT her!! And she was NOT well taken care off. Her pool is way to small, she has no shade, she lost all her calves and you aquarium's transported orca's all over the world so pls hold your breath Barby doll!!

[@tiffanystockman7601]

I Pray 🙏 Lolita is FREE very soon she has had to live in a small prison too long let's FREE Lolita and give these animals the respect they deserve ❤they are extremely intelligent and we should protect there rights no more captive Orcas Dolphins or Beluga whales no more captivity

[@j.johnson7296]

I pray she makes it. I worry it won't come fast enough!

[@DaniS398]

She was so well taken care of and so love that she was sick for years? Yeah okay lady.

[@Algorithmicgeneratedwordsalad]

Every time they have tried to rehome an orca into the ocean and has gone badly because they can no longer communicate with members of their own pod and they refer to be with humans it has happened time and time again this is not as heartwarming as it should be

[@loujon191]

So basically she has health issues and they cant use her anymore. Pure devils

[@CarolenGrayToday]

the WRONG thing to do was having her in captivity from the beginning

[@1Kaileegirl]

I hope Lolita is still able to communicate with her mother I believe all animals should live free but it's a worry after so many yrs in captivity will Lolita be safe or will releasing her now be more abuse

[@user-vw1rs1mp9r]

What a joke it should be ILLEGAL to take any whale out of the ocean. What a horrible sad life to put such a majestic animal through. They should get jail time

[@ReplayBsquad]

Hope she makes it ok

[@sepnyte9422]

I agree Lolita deserves better in terms of a bigger enclosure and companions, but I have an eerie feeling that this is going to end horribly.

[@Lazyspaceout]

Yep human stupidity will be her death, I love that orca , I wish they thought of it more carefully

[@mackraewatrous3561]

Sepnyte, dang someone’s super power is their intuition! thank you for your care and big heart❣️there’s a great 20 minute documentary “What Happened to Keiko? The Whale from Free Willy.”