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FaolanG t1_jedattn wrote

I want to dispel some rumors for people who can’t seem to be arsed to read the article because this is really uplifting news:

  • She is not being released directly into the wild. They have a plan to move her to a sea pen with two dolphins she currently shared captivity with.

  • She will have training in how to “orca” again to work toward a successful release. This will be monitored and she won’t be released prematurely.

  • This project has funding for longevity and success and could become a great model to this type of effort, it deserves our support. They’ve also said while her release is the goal, they won’t do so if she doesn’t have a good chance at survival AND reintegration.

  • The effort to free Tokitae is not a new one nor is it playing on some trend. There was a documentary made about her abhorrent conditions in 2003 and the Lummi Tribe was working to get her free well before that. It’s been ongoing and hard fought.

  • She deserves to leave her 20ft deep pool in Florida behind for the ocean, even if she spends the rest of her days in the sea pen it will be much better for her physical and mental health.

This is a good thing. This is uplifting. This bodes well for future efforts.

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EasternMotors t1_jeeccog wrote

I just wish there was a way to make Sea World pay the $15-20mm.

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FaolanG t1_jeg0a1y wrote

Seriously! I really would love to see a world in which we could change the model they utilize and see a large effort to reintroduce these wonderful creatures back into the wild.

There will always be a place for rescues and a shift to large, adequate pens, to rehabilitate them in could be incredible for our understanding of marine life. If there were a camera system where people could view them in a somewhat natural habitat and learn about them I’d love to see that be the future of this sort of industry.

Not only is it better for their health and happiness, but it makes these sort of things so much more accessible for children everywhere and of all backgrounds to learn about sea life and maybe find a passion of their own!

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