For decades animal rights activists protested outside Miami Seaquarium, legal briefs were filed with government regulatory agencies, and leaders of countless organizations worked tirelessly with one common goal in mind: To secure the release of Tokitae/Lolita to a seaside sanctuary. In May, 2018 the Lummi Nation – who consider orcas to be sacred members of their Indigenous family – carved a 16-foot totem pole with a striking orca on top. Tribal elders then transported their elaborate tribute some 7,000 miles from the Pacific Northwest to south Florida to raise awareness, and implore the ownership of Miami Seaquarium to do the right thing.

      All of these efforts failed…until early 2023 when the park’s new ownership signed a binding agreement to release Tokitae to a seaside sanctuary in her home waters of Puget Sound, Washington. The complex relocation plan was expected to take up to 18 months.

      Sadly, however, in October, 2023 Tokitae died from chronic diseases associated with aging. 

      And so, in the end, a moral and ethical crime has, in fact, been committed here – by condemning this magnificent animal to life in a concrete prison vs. life in the wild with her family where she belonged.