Yup and that is abhorrent, but that’s a completely different group of people than the ones who have been fighting to see her free for decades. Just because evil people kept her confined in a brutal space for so long doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be committed to her freedom.

I applaud the folks who have fought for this for decades with an iron will and finally saw it happen. It’s a great step for the fight against keeping these creatures in these conditions. If she could be successfully reintegrated it would change how we view the future of a lot of these captive animals.

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.

My main quip is they’re doing this after 50 years in captivity and only after retiring her from shows a year ago. They made as much from her as they can. But again, bigger picture is important

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If the reintegration is handled properly, and they’ve said they understand it could take years, it could be a huge argument for other efforts of these wonderful animals in captivity.

This is a huge step in the right direction and a victory for conservation. The right people are supporting it thoughtfully with trained and experienced staff.

It is important to keep fighting this fight. This is uplifting news. I searched before posting it and found your post and I’m glad you shared it. People should know so they can be inspired to support other aligned efforts.

Did you read the plan outline that accompanied this announcement? They have learned from their mistakes.

The funding for this project well exceeds what we’ve seen in the past and it’s taken a lot of our past failures into account. This is a totally different effort:

-she’ll be relocated to a sea pen where she will have monitoring, veterinary care, and training in how to survive in the wild.

-two of her current co-captives are coming with her to keep her company. Dolphins, but it’ll help with the social aspect which we know is so critical.

-they’ve stated outright that while rerelease is the goal they’ll take her health and longevity into consideration above all else.

It’s easy to be critical of this but at the end of the day this is a huge step in the right direction and an important moment for the Lummi tribe who fought for decades for her release and conservation as a whole. It is undeniably a much better environment for her than her current one, and with no scheduled date of rerelease things can be done with her well-being in mind. I’m from the PNW and she has a lot of support here and should it end up that it isn’t possible to reintegrate her into a pod it’s possible she may be able to live out her days in a sea pen, which again is way better than a 20ft deep pool in Florida.

So yes, this is incredibly uplifting news.

Feminist convention

Agreed. I think the overarching premise is however. It should bring with it an end to a horrible chapter of animal captivity and with it a clearer path to conservation.

Did it work out well for Keiko ?

No.

Is this a high probable death sentence?

Yes.

And this is considered uplifting news ?

Take that shit to the Pokélab!

Is this uplifting? Apparently kangaroos are an invasive species plus it means they'll source the materials from elsewhere which might not be necessarily better.

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Every community sports team I’ve joined has been insanely competitive. Like I’m just there to hang out and have fun but like everyone else seems to think this is their shot at making the pros.

Maybe in the US

Would make sense, considering the demand for ground beef is still creating the hides regardless.

If only young men could put aside our egos and do something like this. We clearly need it.

I mean who cares specifically about Kangaroos. They are almost a pest in Australia.

Coz admitting it would mean reparations like France demanded from Haiti for its independence. Or US for Afghanistan for bombing it for 20 years.

I think I read that demand for cow leather had declined to the degree that perfectly good hides were being dumped in landfills

Sure, but they're talking about men's space, and I don't think women are involved in that.

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Great. Then I can always start tomorrow.

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I know. I was making a joke.