New owners of Miami Seaquarium agree to send orca Lolita home

It's taken decades, but there's finally a plan to captive orca Lolita home.

[@aesco510]

This makes me so sad how shes been living all these years but makes me so happy and i hope she can reach this goal

[@horse-lover68]

Yes me, too but I just cannot trust the aquarium people and I am outraged about Kiska dieing alone!! I hope and pray that Lolita will make it and be in the seabay!!

[@MJ-gj6mj]

It's very sad to realize how long this has been going on. That is a good aspect of social media, certain situations are being brought to light!

[@ashmomofboys]

She will die like Keiko did. I suggest you read up on that orca release before getting all happy about this. She was just given a death sentence.

[@terezahola339]

What exactly does make you happy about releasing very old animal into the wild, even protected environment? It will be extremelly stressful for her, she will meet horrible end.

[@terezahola339]

@@ashmomofboys Exactly. I do not think there is a SINGLE successful release of dolphins or whales who spent some time in captivity. This is horrible for that poor animal.

[@martinaconley3871]

This brought tears to my eyes. She deserves to be free. Her family is still out there ❤

[@Quagthistle]

You and me both! Years of signing petitions, and here we are.

[@Nina_Sophia]

Im literally crying Im so happy. Hearing that her pod is still there and her 95 year old mother. ❤️🐋 It can't happen soon enough! 🥰

[@terezahola339]

No, she will die soon, totally stressed, having horrible end of life. It is terrible new for anybody who respect animals. Poor Lolita, another torture for her.

[@jacksonsinclair2615]

​@@terezahola339 she will be much happier. Its crazy you would want to keep such a beautiful animal in captivity and abused! Shame on you.

[@terezahola339]

@@jacksonsinclair2615 no. She will face horrible stress and die soon. Shame on all terrible people who prefer their wishful thinking and fanatism over real animals and their needs.

[@Countrybluez]

@@jacksonsinclair2615 She won’t just be fine though. That’s his point…she won’t know how to hunt or find food, if the pod doesn’t accept her then she’s dead. It isn’t a storybook, there’s a big chance they kill here because they don’t know her.

[@jacksonsinclair2615]

@@Countrybluez You people are all despicable! Thats why these Animals should be taken care of the Native Americans, because you only care about the money and entertainment. She was captured as a WILD animal , she wasnt bred in captivity! Plus she isnt going to be just let go will be closely monitered by a huge group of scientists. What happened to keiko wasnt great but frankly any life in the wild is better than in captivity and you people are part of the problem honestly. All you care about is profits and your entertainment.

[@g41133]

THANK YOU to the new owners for finally freeing the poor creature! Gotta make sure she freed safely and is introduced back to nature safely🐋🐬

[@belindakloppers3698]

Let's pray that she will be able to connect and survive back with her family... what a shame they took her in the first place😢

[@MJ-gj6mj]

Ikr hopefully this will stop!

[@magicalmoments6409]

Let place the heartless humans who caught her and place them in her tank

[@AngelusGaston]

She doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean.

[@andreaponn]

@@AngelusGaston he died from sickness he caught from cappivity at least he died free and they placed him maybe not in his native waters because maybe at the time they didn't record where they caught him. so he had no connections out there when came to wild orca's because none was his pod.

[@AngelusGaston]

@@andreaponn He didn't he died from Pneumonia after he was freed, he was stressed out from being set free his immune system wasn't up for this because he wasn't strong enough from being malnourished when he wasn't hunting himself. He had to be treated multiple times for illness that were brought on by being in the open ocean. Just look it up with this attitude you would be better of just putting her to sleep. She would be better of being kept in a sea pen being looked after by humans

[@TheVickster321]

Her life has been tragic from birth til now. I hope her return to her home goes smoothly. So incredibly sad that we treated this creatures like this.

[@Jothikana]

This is beautiful. No wild animal should ever be captured and forced to perform for humans’ entertainment. I hope Toki makes it home and meets her poor mother again.

[@victoriawilliams2786]

I absolutely agree with everything you wrote. I can't even stand seeing birds caged. Except in cases where release would equal death, due to injury or illness.

[@spoopyfern]

Rest in peace sweet Lolita, I hope there’s a great big ocean waiting for you in the beyond 💙

[@epicbeautyo]

So so happy for Lolita, but my heart still breaks for Corky, the longest orca in captivity! Time is running out for her!

[@j.s.2281]

I pray she lives long enough to live a better life.. wish there was a guarantee she will survive out there for a lot longer

[@andreaponn]

same here and at least she will be with her pod or near them.

[@j.s.2281]

@@andreaponn exactly!!

[@tortoiseshell6666]

@@andreaponn really?!?!? they need to record her being reunited with her pod and see if they’re all happy to see her

[@andreaponn]

@@tortoiseshell6666 it be cool if they do record it when the moment happens.

[@JenGerard]

Omg I am so happy !! I hope they can get her moved much sooner than 2 years .

[@slaughterhater]

I have a feeling it’s not going to be 2 years if Pritahm can get the permits for the sea pen. He has meetings already set up with NOAA and the USDA.

[@ErnieWilkins-xs8tf]

Good for her it's about time for all the Orcas to be freed Maybe if they would've Freed Tillikum sooner he wouldn't have killed all the people he did..

[@serinadelmar6012]

I just hope she survives.

[@TexasLadyS]

I hope she survives the transition. It’s going to be incredibly stressful for her.

[@adrianahuihui8722]

Me too but either way her slavery is hopefully coming to an end.

[@averycheesypotato]

It will be hard, but her living conditions will improve. Even if she doesn’t make it to the wild, the rehabilitation efforts will expand the area she has access to, give her improved water quality & provide mental stimulation

[@topdawg182]

Orcas by far the apex predators of the sea. She runs no danger at sea, her only danger is readjusting to life at sea. But if she can find someone to mate with she’ll for sure make. Also they mentioned they believe her mother still loves so that most likely means her siblings as well. Orcas are part of the dolphin family, they are the smartest animals on earth and have the best memories of any breed maybe she can find her pod and join her family

[@adrianahuihui8722]

@@topdawg182 she’s far too old to mate. Orcas stop giving birth in their 40s. They’re some of the only mammals with an early menopause in relation to their lifespan, and it’s because the moms can’t keep having babies because they take care of their sons their whole lives.

[@adrianahuihui8722]

@@topdawg182 but I agree with the rest of your comment. Hopefully her POD recognizes her. I’ve heard amazing stories.

[@tiffanystockman7601]

No more captive Orcas and Dolphins let's give them the right to be FREE with there family in the Ocean they are extremely intelligent like humans and also have feelings im soooo happy for Lolita God is good this answers so many prayers 🙏 Amazing

[@tessdurberville711]

They are more intelligent than humans. They would know that this is a foolhardy idea.

[@tiffanyferguson1989]

You know free will

[@AngelusGaston]

She doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean.

[@BillBiggs1]

@@AngelusGaston good point, at least move her to a bigger enclosure

[@jasminelee1234]

These beautiful, sensitive and intelligent creatures deserve so much better than the way humans treat them. 😢 I do hope she will survive free after so long in captivity. I pray she ends up having a healthy and happy life with her sea family ❤

[@andreaponn]

i agree they are and i hope she surives too and i think she has high chance espeically with her family out there. :)

[@tonyaguero7850]

I had no idea they could live that long.. it’s amazing!

[@MissMarshall]

Things should have been ready for her a long time ago! Let’s go!!!

[@PrettiMonsta05]

This just breaks my heart how ppl could be so selfish.. I pray she adjusts and lives a long life😢

[@SageRosemaryTime]

HOW DARE THEY do that 1 ! ? ? ! ! Steal her at 3 , wait until she can no longer work and has been ill and still have to be taken to court to let her go at 56 years old . So heartbreaking. I hope it can happen but . . . nothing can give her back her life. Her capturers and exploiters are monsters. Fingers crossed. . . .

[@prestonwallace6895]

This is great to hear but so sad it took this long I hope she finds her mama

[@lizzystar5346]

This is amazing news! The idea of her being reunited with her family brings tears to my eyes. After ever 50 years she will get her life back. This is the best thing that could have happened to her! I hope to be in Miami when she starts her voyage ❤

[@rottiemama6]

The happiest tears! I’m just so emotional over this. Bless her sweet soul. ♥️♥️

[@Lazyspaceout]

Only if they accept her if they don't she will not make

[@k9thundra]

It would be incredible if her mother recognizes her after all these years.

[@tessdurberville711]

​@@k9thundra I had on sunglasses the last time I saw my mother two years ago and she did not recognize me and she is only in her 60's.

[@k9thundra]

@@tessdurberville711 it's still possible. She was 6 years old when they took her from her mom. Not like she was just born and taken. And orca's have been known to recognize their care takers after many year's apart. So there's hope her mom could recognize her.

[@EquineMetalhead]

I’m so happy! Thank you Jesus for people realizing that no animal should live in a tank or enclosure that small! Thank you so much!!! LOLITA YOUR GOING HOME!!!!

[@slaughterhater]

I showed footage of the news coverage from the conference to my aunt and she agreed that tank is way too small for an animal that size. My mom was shocked that Lolita survived 53 years in a tank that small. At first my mom was concerned about whether she’ll be able to survive in the open ocean but once I explained to her that Lolita is going to a sea pen and that it is going to be kind of like what they did with Keiko, she was okay with it as long as they’re not going to just let her out. But I figure the more people in my family I tell about her plight, the more my family will agree she needs to go home.

[@slaughterhater]

@Timothy O'Mara I completely agree. It says so on their website. The people planning this move have no idea that PETA made it harder to get her released from captivity, not easier. PETA petitioned to have her listed as an endangered species in 2015 and won. They asked if that meant she could be released and NOAA said that wasn't part of the ruling. They asked a question that had nothing to do with the endangered species listing. They tried to bill the listing as a path to release and shot themselves in the foot. They did not get the answer they wanted so they kept asking questions about her ability to survive in the wild, hoping NOAA wouldn't notice what they were trying to do. NOAA just answered no, no, and no to each question. I do not think NOAA is going to sign the paperwork for the permit to fly her to Washington because they don't think she's releasable and I think the people planning this move know that NOAA is not going to approve the permit for a sea pen. I do know they are keeping details of their plan confidential. I think they know she likely won't be going to a sanctuary in the Pacific Northwest and want to keep her real new home secret to avoid backlash from their supporters.

[@andreaponn]

@Timothy O'Mara that was 2015 not present

[@dannyking5746]

Amazing news and great chance for research if she can connect with her family ❤

[@charissahanks3967]

That's so sad. Good luck Lolita. They should have started this so much longer ago. So sad.

[@emily-clark]

Lolita's 95 year old Mother is still alive out there and broken, of course. I truly HOPE her Mamma will recognise her but to be honest, I don't think she will and regarding Lolita, she was too young when human beings kidnapped her from her pod. I hope there's going to be some miracle here 🙏, I really want to see a wonderful reunion but I'm being too optimistic here.

[@tessdurberville711]

It's a fairytale that will not have a happy ending. Just like Keiko, and Elsa.

[@AngelusGaston]

She doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean.

[@andreaponn]

there family animal I think her mother will recognize her orca's are smart she maybe remembers when her baby was caught so i believe she remembers.

[@AngelusGaston]

@@andreaponn They wont she wont even remember how to communicate with her "family" each Orca pod has it's own unique langue 50 years is to long to remember this and she is as good as dead to them. Lolita has been in with multiple orcas all with there own language.

[@andreaponn]

@@AngelusGaston how do you know they won't? and i know that been long time but i dout that she won't understand because these animals have emotions like we do and very smart so i stand with my comment. Also I know each orca pod has there own lanugage so of course she wont understand the ones she put with like for example one person speaks spanish and other speaks only english so they won't understand each other.

[@Tommaso77777]

For the LOVE of GOD, Please bring her back home to her family! So much suffering for Lolita! There has to be some good in this world! 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

[@grose2272]

Her 95 year old mother is still alive❤

[@flufflewarrior]

And SeaWorld claima Orcas in the wild only get 20 -30 years old. 😅 I hope both can reunite

[@N0N4M30]

@@flufflewarrior BOYCOTT SEAWORLD

[@kidsgrove-spider8405]

I hope this all goes well and her family accept her back

[@darianwofford]

It’s so sad that poor creature has been living in one of the smallest tanks in the world…but I’m glad she gets to be back home smh all for human entertainment

[@gisellag9283]

Her tank is so tiny😢 this story is just heartbreaking 💔

[@talkswithannie4429]

It should be illegal to keep these animal in captivity , beyond heartbreaking .

[@ashleysawyer9931]

Omg…. Please Noah, approve this for her!! How amazing it will be for her to be free with her family!! I pray she makes it!!!

[@Phillips_284]

Cant come quick enough, cant believe she has been used and abused for so long. Amazing her family are still alive ...awaiting for her return I should imagine. Her release can not come quick enough. May she arrive back to family safe and enjoy an abundance of freedom!! 🙂😉🙏🏽

[@tessdurberville711]

Animals that are used and abused do not live for 57 years.

[@AngelusGaston]

She doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean.

[@Phillips_284]

@AngelusGaston I will have a look. That's sad,I was hoping for a happy ending for her. This is the damage people are doing, when taking these whales so young . I was hoping natural instinct would kick In and she can hunt etc. So this seaworld option is better you say? . Would she be alone? Tank ,again?

[@AngelusGaston]

@@Phillips_284 It is sad but when you think about when her and the other Orca's where taken they didn't know how intelligent they were or how much damage they would be doing when they put them in those small enclosures, but animal wealthfare has come along long way look at how Zoo's use to keep there animals. She would still be alone unless they managed to get other whale's to be with her but even then the whales might not get a long as each whale has a different sound that others might not understand. It really is complicated. Keiko's release cost $20M just for that short amount of time.

[@andreaponn]

@@Phillips_284 hi sorry for coming conversation wanted say i hope for best for her too and i think another tank wont be best for her and for kieko was different you see they may not put him in right native waters so the family connection wasnt there and for her family and mother is there so to me its different.

[@DawnMeow]

53 years of living a life like that…. My god.

[@NE_Pigeons]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏 These beautiful intelligent creatures do not belong in captivity!

[@Hughe_Janus]

That is absolutely psychotic. Nobody in the right mind can say they were taking care of this poor animal, only exploiting it. Should be a human crime across the globe.

[@tiffanystockman7601]

Thank God Lolita can finally again be FREE and no more a prisoner she can feel the Ocean again this makes me super happy for her ❤

[@terezahola339]

No, she will die soon, totally stressed, having horrible end of life.

[@ianthescientist8827]

@@terezahola339 are you a scientist also? I don't think you are.. You are wrong, she will feel free and feel loved since Orcas care for their very sick and or injured grandkids. All they need to do is open mouth to hunt and they can transition. Whales in captivity are already completely stressed to point of needing hardcore benzodiazepines daily if the whales are used for performances than they always need benzodiazepines. Whales have only killed people when in captivity they don't do that in wild. So Lolita would have a far far better life actually.

[@terezahola339]

@@ianthescientist8827 lol 😂😂😂😂

[@AngelusGaston]

@@ianthescientist8827 She doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean. After years of preparing Keiko for reintegration, Keiko was flown to Iceland in 1998 and in 2002, became the first captive orca to be fully released back into the ocean. On 12 December 2003, he died of pneumonia in a bay in Norway at the age of 27. Most sources conclude that the project to free Keiko was a failure because the orca failed to adapt to life in the wild.[24] In Norway, Keiko had little contact with other orcas and was not fishing; for months before his death, the whale was being fed daily.[25][26][15] A report in The Guardian describes the freed orca's life in Taknes Bay as follows: "... until his death Keiko was, rather than frolicking freely in his fjord, being taken for 'walks' by caretakers in a small boat at least three times a week. ... It took more than 60 failed attempts to reunite Keiko with free orcas before he followed a group where, spotting a fishing vessel off the Norwegian coast, he followed it into the fjords that would prove his final resting place."[27] According to an article in New Scientist, "He was seen diving among the wild orcas only once, on 30 July 2002. And after physical contact at the surface, Keiko swam away, seeking out human company on the tracking boat".[15] Simon, Hanson, Murrey, et al. (2009)[14] confirm that he was seen on the periphery of some wild groups but was never seen to be socially integrated with such whales. In summary, "He never integrated into a wild pod ... and could not break his need for human contact."[28] According to Simon et al. (2009)[14] Keiko's return to humans for food and for company confirms the failure of the project. Reasons cited for Keiko's failure to adapt include his early age at capture, the long history of captivity, prolonged lack of contact with conspecifics and strong bonds with humans.[14] There are articles after articles siting the failer of reintroduction in to the wild. Keiko was 27 Lolita is 50 see were it is going

[@Keznen]

@Tereza Holá What do you mean "lol"? Do you know anything about orcas at all? They're anything but stupid. Lolita's mother and pod are still alive and she should be reunited with them.

[@Anubissia]

Lets hope she survives two more years ❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

Loved going to the Seaquarium as a kid and seeing Lolita but am so glad she has a chance to reunite with her family pod.

[@keythedon8555]

Leave these animals ALONE!! Stop bothering and capturing them for human entertainment, it’s sick.

[@wompppwompwomppp]

about damn time. i have been waiting for this news for years. justice for the lumi nation

[@intel-yh7tj]

They might be doing doing this so they don't have too deal with her passing when time comes .it would've been good they would've realesd her 50 yrs ago not now that she at the last phase of her life with health complications .I really hope they do things morally not just for new owners convenience.she should spent the rest of her life a very spacious sanctuary due too being in captivity so long ,

[@tessdurberville711]

She had not even been caught fifty years ago. It is the equivalent of sending your grandmother out to fend for herself in a strange city.

[@mizubiart6230]

Long love Lolita! Freedom at last.

[@hopelessequestrian1227]

Don't forget Hugo. Hugo didn't get the chance. We must not forget he was in that prison with her. She watched him comit suicide. And pulled out to be thrown away.

[@camillelong2093]

I have a betta fish. They're from Thailand originally. This would be like me putting him back in a rice paddy and expecting a good result. He is used to a filter, a heater, being fed every day... He would have no idea what to do in the wild.

[@ружаИлиева-ы1ъ]

Exactly.. This way she will die..

[@pamknoll7383]

Loooooong overdue THANKYOU 🙏❤❤❤❤❤

[@mariagustafson1633]

Wonderful. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank God!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Sincerely Everett Washington State ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jamiecasey9800]

THANK GOD❤ This is amazing. To let Her waste away in that so called whale tank is horrible. Just let Her have that chance to at least spend the rest of Her life where Her family is. Come on government agencies and give Her that chance we owe it to this Beautiful Creature 😢❤

[@brandimyhren6317]

They’re intelligent and social and need to be free. It’s so sad to see these in captivity. We don’t deserve these animals . We should be ashamed for what we’ve done.

[@andreaponn]

i agree

[@kimberleymancino7985]

She should be moved to the sea sanctuary ASAP, NOT in a couple of years! If shes going to have ANY chance of reunification with her family, her mother NEEDS to be alive. Her mom is 96 years old!!! The sooner she gets to the sanctuary to sooner the communication can begin trying to locate her family. When they hear her and recognize her vocals hopefully they will stay close to her until she can finally be reunited with them. The sanctuary is a much better place for her, she will be much happier and healthier in her natural involvement, especially with the help from humans to get her ready to succeed in the ocean on her own! Also she will be able to explore something other than concrete walls 😢, even if she has to stay in captivity, she’s better off in the ocean sanctuary!!! Please help her get there ASAP!!! It’s heartbreaking things like this were ever done to these precious majestic extremely intelligent animals!!! The least we could do for her is put her in the most natural environment possible at least until she’s 100% ready to be completely freed. When they do completely free her she still NEEDS watched and monitored to make certain she’s not only surviving but thriving when she’s let out of the sanctuary. Please help her succeed in every way possible, and god forbid she needs humans to intervene to help her survive, that needs to be available for her, if she needs to come back to the sanctuary if she’s not thriving, that also should definitely be available for her!!! God please protect this precious beautiful creature you created, help her to eventually find and reunite with her mother and family. Help her and all of her kind thrive in our oceans. Please help humans to understand the mistakes we are making with all of our precious wildlife and our oceans!!! In the holy name of JESUS I pray, amen. 🙏

[@AngelusGaston]

She cant just be set free, she doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean. She is in the same boat as Keiko NO POD, NO IMMUNITY, NO HUNTING SKILLS, NO NOTHING She has been looked after by humans for over 50 years. Keiko wasn't even as old as her when he was set free. Is that the same fate you want for Lolita.

[@sharibailey2148]

She needs her freedom

[@shivanipde]

Thank u to the owners & praying for lolita ❤

[@kuvasz93]

Never realized how horrific this industry was till I watched the movie Blackfish. Watching how these animals were torn away from their families as babies was heartbreaking. I pray she gets to live long enough to enjoy her freedom- along side her family

[@Charles-_-]

She will finally get to see, hear, touch and feel the real seaworld. Hope her immune system is up to it.

[@tessdurberville711]

It is not.

[@pikapi7429]

It will be.

[@AngelusGaston]

@@pikapi7429 No it wont they said the same thing about Keiko. Keiko died in Taknes Bay, Skålvikfjord, Norway, while swimming in the fjords on 12 December 2003, at the age of 27. Pneumonia was determined as his probable cause of death. His immune system wasn't strong enough to fight it off he was 27 a young whale Lolita is 50 twice his age.

[@N0N4M30]

@@AngelusGaston no the problem was that she wasn’t monitored enough and they left her out of that big enclosed sanctuary that was made for her at sea

[@heartlove7502]

She belongs in that ocean under any means necessary.

[@Kyra_of_Kerkyra]

Oh my God..., this is so heartbreaking. It's so cruel what we humans do to our Earthly brothers and sisters. I'm so ashamed to be a human! 💔💔💔

[@stephaniecedeno8467]

I cried my eyes out seeing this on the news this AM!

[@asnormalasitgets2819]

Watch the documentary Lolita: Slave to Entertainment. Please don’t support marine parks.

[@Steve_643]

I hope she can rejoin her family.

[@daryadarya6554]

Thanks to all organisations, specially to the Indigenous of the Salish Sea , which are fighting for Lolita ! I hope, we can see her in freedom, soon....without endless discussions.

[@annwaters9484]

she probably won't survive in the wild without her pod to help protect her

[@Keznen]

They should reunite her with her pod. They know which pod is hers.

[@gailtomlinson5510]

Thank god I do hope it happens for her she gave her all and now is the time she needs to go home she deserves it and she's earned it please they there be more than one step she's beautiful ❤️ and it will be lovely to see her as free as she can be thank you

[@AngelusGaston]

She doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean.

[@autumnmarchand6661]

They're saying " experts" thinks that keeping her in solitary is better than releasing her

[@carolinaespinoza199]

I really hope she can go back to her family

[@k9thundra]

It would be incredible if her mother recognizes her.

[@andreaponn]

@@k9thundra you never know she might there smart

[@StephASMR]

OMG Imagine if she can finally see her mother again

[@mysmallfamily2309]

Highly unlikely

[@AngelusGaston]

She doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean.

[@lunaog8750]

Im praying she gets to go home. please let her go home ASAP. she needs to see her family times passing by please let her have that moment. im begging let her be free with her family.

[@AngelusGaston]

She doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean.

[@Keznen]

@AngelusGaston Lolita's mother is still alive. Keiko's was not found.

[@AngelusGaston]

@@Keznen No her mother hasn't been seen since January either at 96 years old there is no guarantee that she is alive know its all speculation.

[@Keznen]

@@AngelusGaston She was still seen fairly recently. Also, while she is indeed very old, the oldest known Orca lived to be 105 years old. Her age is NOT proof of her status. Until and UNLESS there is concrete evidence of her mother being deceased, attempts to reunite her with her daughter should be made.

[@AngelusGaston]

@@Keznen And what if this fails. What if she doesn't reunite her pod What if the other whales kill her what if they don't recognise her what if her mother has died what if she chooses humans over whales. What if she doesn't learn how to be wild what if she DIES OUT THERE. Then what or wont it matter because she "Died wild" You would have killed an orca by being selfish and not thinking about the consequences when there is proof out there of it failing before. Also her mother wasn't seen recently the people who deal with the L Pod has said many times she hasn't been seen since January.

[@-crazypants-3199]

Thank Jesus I’ve been hoping for this for so long

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

How cruel to keep the poor orca in such a small tank 😢

[@kksmith503]

Do we all not remember what happened to Keiko. Not being able to integrate into a pod and just dying! Longing for humans. They don't know any differnt than that tiny tank. 😢 They shouldn't have taken her to begin with.

[@kksmith503]

They did all these same things with Keiko. What's going to matter is if she doesn't acclimate, are they going to stop and realize that she isn't thriving and take her back in if not. Unlike Keiko

[@Lazyspaceout]

If her family accepts her she'll be fine, but here's the thing about orcas they don't accepts non family members in their pod ever. So she might not make it

[@tessdurberville711]

​@@kksmith503 They were supposed to return Keiko to Oregon, but they let him go instead and he died because of human arrogance.

[@susansage7218]

Wonderful to see Washington state will be her next home. I love this state.❤️

[@cessyy]

Gooood! I went to SeaWorld in San Diego and it was sooo sad!!!!one of The orca refused to listen. She was not happy 😢

[@LaTripper]

LOLITAS GOING HOME??? dream!!! Stay safe Lolita!!

[@zoemayne]

Even if she dies there she is better off dying at sea than in a cage. It's insane that her cage is only 20 ft deep. They can live under 1000 feet. That freedom will give her life.

[@donjuanproduction1236]

Tears in my eyes 95 year-old mother still alive I pray this hapless before anything happens to her mom

[@brandonlee4322]

I hope they can find her pod 🙏🏼

[@Natural_influence]

About Time!! Every single Animal at every Zoo should have the True Story of how it got there!!

[@winter4618]

Welcome to Washington State Lolita. Can't wait to see you enjoying our ocean.

[@LoveHandle4890]

Basically “Free Willy” in a sense.

[@BB-mt5no]

And it didn't turn out well for that orca, known as Keiko. Died shortly after being released into the wild. Sadly there isn't much chance for Lolita in the wild after so many years in captivity. Hope for the best this time around. It's likely she will have to stay in her sea pen for the rest of her days.

[@anastasiawinters4455]

@@BB-mt5no elsa the lion was set free after being years in captivity and did fine there are other dolphins to like that lolita was 6 keiko was 3 at capture her pod is known and her mom is stiil alive keikos pod was never found

[@BB-mt5no]

@@anastasiawinters4455 Elsa of "Born Free" didn't make it to her 5th birthday and was only cared for a couple of years being trained for release the entire time. Doubtful a pod will accept an orca that has been gone for over 50 years. Hope I'm wrong. Who is to say orcas even like the wild over captivity? Keiko spent his last days seeking human contact and playing with kids. That's the only time this has ever been attempted and it failed. Also seeing that Lolita was 4 years old when captured. Keiko 2 years old. Either way 52 years is a long time for a 56 year old. Wish her the best.

[@tessdurberville711]

​@@anastasiawinters4455 I sent you the link disputing Elsa. A25 is not Lolita's mother and she hasn't been seen since January.

[@anastasiawinters4455]

@@tessdurberville711 what link and its L25 not A25 get facts right she has not been viewed as dead yet and i think you are telling a lie and you have no proof she is not her mom

[@betty5064]

You can't wipe out ten years of misery so easily.

[@gingerspain423]

THANK GOD !!!!!!BUT PLEASE MOVE FASTER !! She's been there long enough!!!!! Her Mother is waiting. It breaks my heart 💔 looking down on her and realizing how big she is for that tiny tiny pool. I wish there we're better laws that wild animals stay in the wild. The only way you can keep him is if he cannot be returned to the wild. Then the animal goes to a enclosure that has a similar environment to what he had before. At least give him some sort of semblance that he's home. Kudos to those people fighting to get her out and back home!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙂👍🇨🇦✌

[@AngelusGaston]

She doesn't know how to be a wild whale. Look up Keiko the Original Free Willy he died after being set free even after he was "trained" to be a wild whale, he still looked to humans for food and entertainment, suffered from illness because he didn't have immune system to deal with infections and stress from being in the open ocean.

[@israeliteonlycampkilluhi.o2108]

America claims to be able to GO to Mars but can't release a Orca to a ocean that's 2 miles away...sheeesh.

[@chrisgaddy8672]

What sense will that make. She's been in captivity for over 5 decades. She's been cared for a certain way. How will she break those habits instilled in her to now thrive in an environment she's been conditioned to disregard. Being a wild animal, learning how to fend for herself. Then she's a nomad out in those waters. What if a pod won't accept her into their inner circle? I think they waited too late to do this.

[@janalogsdon]

Thank God 🙏🏻

[@SaurabhOKumar]

Once liberated, this will open up all new scopes of research to understand further the new instinctive survival adaptation by the orca and further appreciate the intelligence of these beings in a completely differential scale that is yet to be recorded in these whales. 🐋 Best wishes for this once in a lifetime expedition to every stakeholder involved in this delicate project!! Cheers to Lolita's future life experiences, socialization and meeting with her mother 👍🐳🙂

[@AngelusGaston]

She wont survive though Just look up Keiko aka Free Will they tried to release him in the early 2000's and he ended up dying out there even after being taught how to be a wild whale. He didn't join a pod, he didn't hunt, he went back to humans for food and interactions. Keiko was 27 years Lolita is over 50. The only way she will be able to SURVIVE is in a sea pen being cared for and looked after by humans for the rest of her life.

[@andreaponn]

hi dont listen to negative comments I hope for the best for her. :)

[@SaurabhOKumar]

​@@andreaponn Sure Andrea.. It will be a real miracle if the mother orca and Lolita recognize each other after this long. . maybe through their respective body scents or behavior recalls.. Let's hope for the BEST with a lot of real-time human level care taken during this process. 🐋🙂

[@andreaponn]

@@SaurabhOKumar it would be and maybe I hope they notice each other and some spieces i think the mother notices the sound her baby so they know which one is hers and yep and hopefully it wont be to stressful for her like the trip.

[@SaurabhOKumar]

@@andreaponn Yes.. Sure sound it is then👊👍🙂

[@solomongrundy3411]

Should never have taken her. Ban all these animal prisons

[@JenAngel21]

This is so wonderful!!! Congratulations Lolita! ❤❤❤

[@agcd2196]

That's like being in jail for 53 years. Messed up

[@WhiteDwarfVR4]

Actions speak louder than words. Enough talk.

[@shielatv22]

Those criminals who catched and the owners of the ocean parks are disgusting. They are walking freely outside the jail as if nothing happened, except they are having good life from the profit from selling and ysung these animals.

[@arlandorincones.5200]

We just need to close all the stupid aquarium & zoos already! Who even goes to those animal jails anyways?

[@Goldiegirl2009]

It’s about time! This was so criminal what they did in the 70s. Safe travels Lolita/Toki. May you live many more years in freedom. ❤️❤️❤️

[@masoodb2464]

Free Tokitae! Please keep us updated on the move construction of the sea pen.

[@kung-fubadger3766]

Its sad she died and never got her freedom. RIP Lolita

[@rripmilo]

as hopeful as everybody is, they haven't even built her pen yet. they don't even actually have a license to do so. there is no government authorization for them to actually move her. not to mention, i don't know that her immune system would actually handle the move. her caretakers have already stated that she doesn't handle change well, and with how sick she got last year or whenever it was, i don't know that it would be in her best interest to actually move her to a seapen. seaworld would be in her best interest. and that's coming from someone who doesn't really support seaworld. but she can socialize there, she will get all the health care she needs, and the tanks are a decent size compared to what her current tank is. as great as it would be to actually move her back out into the ocean, it may really not be in her best interest to actually do so and follow through. as well as trying to reunite her w her family, there's not promise that they would actually accept her back into her pod after 50 something years without seeing them. seaworld is a very viable option, if not a more viable option for toki's own well being.

[@svvs2527]

Rip lolita😢 🕊You're now free😢🕊

[@chriswar535]

Hope they can get her immune system up & running. Please I pray that they get her acclimatized carefully & not suddenly put onto cold water when she has had years of warmer weather & water !!

[@amymbeauty8765]

So happy she's coming to my state and then on her way to freedom! This never should have happened!

[@dethofasalesmanhoneyboi5577]

Man’s really over here saying how nice “prison” conditions are for her

[@Prettygiirrlll]

56 years is a very long time. Her whole life is wasted due to human selfishness.

[@posyq9733]

Yes send her home!!!

[@YusukeEugeneUrameshi]

They should put tracker so we will have an update to her if she can survive that long.

[@divineoshun5099]

They better send her to the sanctuary with her pod like now we are done waiting !