Lolita (orca)

Lolita performing at Miami Seaquarium

Lolita is an orca housed at the Miami Seaquarium. At over 40 years old (estimated birth, 1966-1967) Lolita is one of the oldest living orcas in captivity.

Early Life

On August 8, 1970 in Puget Sound Lolita along with seven others were caught to be sold to marine parks and aquariums. Tokitae, as she was originally named, was purchased by Seaquarium veterinarian Dr. Jesse White for about $20,000. Upon arrival to the Seaquarium Lolita joined another Southern Resident Orca named Hugo who was captured some time before Lolita and had lived in the park two years prior to her arrival. At first they were housed apart so they wouldn’t fight but they were eventually put together. Tokitae was re-named Lolita “after the heroine in Vladimir Nabokov’s novel by The News.”

Lolita (Tokitae), the Killer Whale

Hugo and Lolita got along well with each other during the years they spent together but on the morning of March 4, 1980 staff arrived to find a lifeless Hugo. “We found her bumping up against Hugo’s body. It’s impossible to know what she was thinking. They were very protective of one another when one of them was sick. I’d just like to forget about that day.” recalls trainer Eimstad. Hugo had suffered a brain aneurism after being lethargic for several weeks. “We expected problems when Hugo died but Lolita preformed as usual the next day,” trainer Lou Roth recalls “Once in a while she would look for him, but she got over it.” Even though the pair had bred many times (once to the point of having to suspend shows) the two never produced any live offspring. After Hugo the Seaquarium never acquired another mate for Lolita.

Controversy

While Lolita is literally the Seaquarium’s biggest star and asset she has also attracted the facility some unwelcomed attention from animal rights groups and animal activists. In 2008 Lolita was the subject of the documentary Lolita: Slave to Entertainment in which many people most notably Rick O’Barry (former Seaquarium Flipper trainer and noted dolphin activist) argue against her current conditions and express a hope that Lolita many have a chance at being re-introduced to the wild. Protesters have dug their heels in deep and assert that the Seaquarium is breaking the law and treating Lolita cruelly by housing her in what they call a “concrete prison.” According to organizations like Orca Network and The Orca Project, Lolita’s tank violates USDA standards. Protesters claim that APHIS standards (9 C.F.R. Section 3.104 - Space Requirements) state that the primary enclosure for a killer whale (Orcinus orca) must have a minimum horizontal dimension (MHD) of no less than 48 feet in a straight line of travel and that Lolita’s tank from the center work platform to the opposite side of the pool is only 35 feet wide. Protesters also claim that the park is out dated and unsafe for both man and animal, a claim that has gained some substantiation when the city inspectors came to call in October 2003. The Miami Seaquarium was cited for 36 different safety infractions and it was noted that the park had gone years without an annual inspection and had never since the park’s opening in 1955 undergone a fire safety inspection. The visit was actually prompted by complaints from patrons, not protesters but they have since ran with it in their crusade to “FREE LOLITA.” Mr. Hertz, owner of the park, claims that the violations are minor and there is nothing to worry about, that it should be expected with such an old and historic facility. He also assures that Lolita is happy in her home, gets all that she could ever need or want and is like family to him and her trainers. He points to Lolita’s apparent good health and longevity as evidence of her quality of life.