Lolita: A Story of Captivity to Slavery to the Entertainment Industry Until Her Death in a Small Fish Tank
The Heartbreaking Journey of an Orca: From Freedom to a Lifetime of Performance
The irony of the truth of the words, “Comedy is tragedy” is a reality in our lives. The tragic death of Lolita mirrors this old saying that she died at the expanse of the human entertainment industry. She gave them laughter & joy while she’s living a life of misery. Yes, the people clapped while her heart & kidneys are bleeding to her inevitable death.
Introduction: The Pacific’s Puzzling Phenomenon
This tweet post said that it’s a total of 53 years ago which means Lolita was captured in 1970, a year after I was born in 1969. Whoa! It’s a lifetime of captivity that Lolita endured until she died yesterday Friday, August 18, 2023. This is another sad story of animal captivity for the entertainment of humans.
The Backstory of Lolita’s Capture
On August 8, 1970, in the waters of the Puget Sound of Washington State, a pod of killer whales was attacked and rounded up by a group of killer whale herders led by Ted Griffiths and Don Goldsberry. Using speedboats, an airplane, and releasing explosives into the water, they forced the orcas into Penn Cove.
The juvenile orcas were separated from their mothers, as the infants were prime candidates to be sold to aquariums, while the adult orcas were released and free to leave.
However, the adult pod would not leave their offspring and refused to swim free, vocalizing human-like cries until the last baby was pulled out of the water, never to return. One adult and four infant orcas were killed during this capture. In an attempt to keep the orca deaths from the public, the industry instructed the herders to slit open the bellies of the dead animals, fill them with rocks, and sink the creatures with anchors, hoping they would never be discovered.
Because of the large number of violent orcas captured by the marine park industry in Washington State waters, an entire generation of orcas was eliminated. As a result, this orca population is now considered an endangered species.
One of the orca infants captured was a four-year-old named Tokitae, who was sold to the Miami Seaquarium.
She arrived at the marine park on September 24, 1970, where she was renamed ‘Lolita’ and has lived there ever since.
She performs tricks during her scheduled shows and has done so for the past forty-six years.
The Fight for Lolita’s Freedom
Over the years, numerous organizations and individuals have rallied behind the cause of freeing Lolita. Their efforts have been met with bureaucratic red tape, insurance policies, and a myriad of permits that seemed to prioritize profit over the well-being of this majestic creature.
The real question that arises is, why is it so complicated to return her to where she was taken from?
The sad reality is that in a world driven by greed, there’s always a way to monetize through exploitation.
The Global Implications of Animal Captivity
Lolita’s story is not an isolated incident. From Noor Jehan, the elephant who died in a Pakistan zoo, to countless other animals suffering in captivity worldwide, the narrative remains tragically consistent. These animals are often subjected to inhumane conditions, all for the sake of human entertainment and profit.
Conclusion: Reflecting on Our Reality
The stories of Lolita, Noor Jehan, and countless others serve as a stark reminder of the injustices faced by animals worldwide. While some stories make headlines, countless others go unreported.
Suffering is a universal condition, not just limited to humans.
As we reflect on these truths, it’s crucial to consider the role we play in perpetuating or combating these injustices.
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References:
Note: Click the references to learn more on different youtube videos.
- CBS News: Lolita’s Journey
- Twitter Post by MissyMaizey89
- A Fall From Freedom Documentary
- Inside The Tanks Documentary
- The Dark History of Killer Whale Captures Documentary
- Lolita The Killer Whale Slave to the Entertainment — Full Movie
- Twitter Post by WalrusWhisperer
- Dolphin Project’s Take Action Page
- King5 News Article on Orca Network
- Poem for Lolita
- Twitter Post by RegineMarms555
- Save Lolita
- Twitter Posts
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