Endangered B.C. orca expected to be released from captivity in Miami
A decades-long fight to free a southern resident killer whale from captivity in the U.S. will soon have a happy ending.
Lolita, also known as Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut by the Lummi Nation in Washington state, is currently living at the Miami Seaquarium.
She's now 57, and was captured in the waters off the B.C. coast when she was four.
"She would've come from over there," said Eric Pittman, director of the Canadian Orca Recue Society, while pointing at the Salish Sea.
She's one of many southern residents who were scooped up from the Salish Sea in the 1970s.
On Thursday, the Miami Seaquarium, which recently came under new management, announced plans for her release.
The aquarium will work with non-profit group Friends of Lolita to transfer the orca back to B.C. waters in the next 18 to 24 months.
The relocation is partly thanks to a large donation by Jim Irsay, the owner and CEO of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
"The story of Lolita the orca has been near and dear to my heart. I am proud – and enthusiastic – to play a role in finally returning Lolita to her native Pacific Northwest,” said Irsay in a statement Thursday.
YEARS OF CAMPAIGNING
Many groups have been advocating for Lolita to be freed for decades.
The Sacred Lands Conservancy has been pushing the aquarium's new operator to make it happen.
"The little tank she's in right now is so shallow, she can never get out of the sun," said Tahmas, president of the Sacred Lands Conservancy in Bellingham, Wash.
To the aquarium's credit, Tahmas says it is the first facility to agree to work with the conservancy.
"Bringing our sister back home and putting her back in the Salish Sea, that’s the first step in apologizing to the southern residents, that we have allowed this to happen to you," said Tahmas.
The hope is to create a large enclosed sanctuary somewhere in the waters off Vancouver Island for Sk'aliCh'elh-tenau, then put her on a plane and fly her to B.C. from Miami.
"She will be able to swim again at full speed. She will be able to maneuver. She will be able to go deep enough to where the sun is not hitting her," said Tahmas.
It's what advocates like Pittman have wanted for the marine mammal for decades.
"As we evolve, we develop more empathy for the creatures and the planet around us," he said. "And I think we have to learn from that."
The Miami Seaquarium says the orca gets "round-the-clock care" by a range of experts, including medical, nutritional and behavioural staff, and that a recent independent health assessment found that her condition "is becoming reasonably stable."
"With the support of all parties, the continued health of Lolita and approvals from the appropriate authorities, we are all committed to giving this beautiful orca a new home and a peaceful future," said Eduardo Albor, CEO of The Dolphin Company, which operates the aquarium.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Luxury cruise line selling world cruise suite for US$1.7 million
Luxury operator Regent Seven Seas Cruises is raising their price tag to eye-watering levels, with a suite on an upcoming 140-day world voyage costing US$1.7 million.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to pray for world peace
A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
King Charles will attend Easter Sunday service at Windsor
Buckingham Palace officials say King Charles III and Queen Camilla will attend an Easter service at the chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday.