firl t1_jedb717 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:30 AM

Reply to comment by FaolanG in A pledge to move Lolita the killer whale from Miami Seaquarium, with Jim Irsay’s help by DobieWonKenobi

I have. I am glad it's in a sea pen.

I don't wish that she was captured.

After 50 years of learned helplessness, polluted oceans, different immune system responses because of it etc.

I am glad you consider it uplifting.

Since she was captured and not "rescued" different rules apply for consideration of reintegration.

She is older too, so part of me is like, this could be considered similar to being put in a home.

I considered it meh news personally, not great not horrid because they are trying to improve by comparison to the last time.

I appreciate your perspective though.

FaolanG t1_jedbyg1 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:38 AM

I do agree the practice of taking these animals out of their habitat is abhorrent. I also don’t for one moment think the aquarium did this out of the goodness of their hearts. She wasn’t generating revenue anymore and this is great marketing for them.

To your point, her pod is also much smaller than it was, which in and of itself is terribly sad and a direct result of human presence in the Salish Sea.

For me I hate what she went through, but I’m glad the people who have been trying so hard to get her freed were finally successful and she won’t have to live in those barbaric conditions anymore. She’ll get to be in the PNW and the pacific again.

In my tiny heart of hearts I hope for success from this, that it may open a door to continue release efforts on a larger scale. It’s too soon to know, but that would be quite the victory indeed and I’m glad we are striving for it.