Arguably, it is because of Lolita that we no longer refer to the orcas as “killer whales.” Amid the sea of crocodile tears shed by those who in a variety of ways have exploited the life and death of Lolita the orca, and continue to exploit her memory, I feel strongly that I have something […]
The orca whale Lolita, 57, spent 53 years in prison without killing anyone
Jailed at four years old, Lolita spent 45 years at the Miami Seaquarium in solitary confinement MIAMI, Florida––The orca whale known to the world for most of her life as Lolita, 57, died on August 18, 2023 at the Miami Seaquarium, 53 years after her capture at Penn Cove, Washington. Initially dubbed Tokitae upon capture, […]
A “win-win” for Lolita, & even more for those promoting her homecoming
Lolita the orca whale may return to Puget Sound MIAMI, Florida––Lolita, the 57-year-old orca whale who has become a white elephant after 53 years in the 67-year-old Miami Seaquarium, may be returning home to Puget Sound, Washington, before the end of 2023. That might afford Lolita, also called Tokitae at capture, a comfortable retirement in […]
Sam Lipman, 32, & Ken Balcomb, 82, devoted their lives to whales
Balcomb spent more than 50 years in the cause, Lipman just 15, but both left a mark FRIDAY HARBOR, Washington; CRAWLEY, West Sussex, U.K.––Self-described “orcaholics” Samantha “Sam” Lipman, 32, and Ken Balcomb, 82, half a world and 50 years apart, died on November 29, 2022 and December 15, 2022, […]
From the whales of Miami Beach to the seals of Puget Sound
Growing up & growing wiser with Lolita & Sidney by Beth Clifton California governor Jerry Brown on September 13, 2016 endorsed into law a bill prohibiting breeding orca whales in captivity, six months after SeaWorld announced that it would end attempts to breed orcas at its marine mammal parks in San Diego, Orlando, and San Antonio. […]