Dear fellow activists for Tokitae/Lolita,
Since the scathing USDA inspection report released in September (2021) (1), on December 17th, the Miami Herald reported “The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investigating the Miami Seaquarium after citing the aging facility for a number of serious animal welfare violations including feeding spoiled fish to Lolita, the park’s main attraction, and not keeping track of where animals were placed in different pools, which led to violent fights that contributed to the death of at least two dolphins last year. “ (2)
This string of deaths is a common issue at Miami Seaquarium.
Quoting Dolphin Project: “Between March 2019 and April 2020, five bottlenose dolphins and a California sea lion died at the facility, adding to the urgency of this (USDA) report.” (3) “With a history of 130+ cetacean deaths under Miami Seaquarium’s care, the dolphinarium’s list of self-reported causes of death are both horrifying and heartbreaking.” (4)
Lack of transparency on Lolita’s current condition has been worrisome especially as the Whale Stadium where Lolita is kept has been closed to public entry since August (2021). Among concerns for Lolita from the very troubling USDA inspection report are eye damage resulting from lack of shade at the exhibit, injuries resulting from performance demands placed on an elderly animal (her estimated age is 56 years), possible ailments due to being fed poor quality including “bad smelling” (rotting) fish, and reduction in food quantity by close to 20% leading to possible malnutrition and dehydration.
✊Please TAKE URGENT ACTION IMMEDIATELY with the following with these objectives in mind.
[All are welcome to refer to any of the points above with reference links (at end of this post).]
• Politely request that an emergency rescue team move in and take control of the care of all the animals there, most especially for Tokitae/Lolita. Make it clear that urgent actions must be taken to avoid further catastrophe.
• To ensure that the USDA investigation is rigorous, transparent, and involves the veterinarians who know Tokitae/Lolita best. Call for an immediate comprehensive medical and behavioral assessment of Tokitae/Lolita to ensure that her critical needs will be met without any further delay.
• Miami Herald reported “...firing its longtime attending veterinarian Magdalena Rodriguez in the summer....”
Politely ask to include Ms. Rodriguez for her expertise and transparent assessment of current conditions at Miami Seaquarium.
1. Contact USDA Animal Care
Feel free to copy and paste the following, and please PERSONALIZE your messages for a more impactful message.
Email address: animalcare@usda.gov
Subject: Concerns regarding Lolita the orca and dolphin deaths at Miami Seaquarium.
Dear USDA Animal Care,
Because I am deeply concerned about several previous and 3 recent marine mammal deaths at Miami Seaquarium (MSQ) that in my opinion could have been avoided I am asking the USDA to take immediate action.
Miami Seaquarium’s failure to appropriately manage marine mammals in conditions that ultimately led to three very recent deaths are among my many concerns from the very troubling USDA inspection report released in September this year. Several factors from the 17 page report include not providing shade resulting in eye damage, and possible ailments due to being fed poor quality fish in state of decay. Improper water quality management resulting in parasites in some cases, and exposure to toxins including unhealthy levels of peeling paint in some tanks all point to this antiquated facility being unfit for the keeping of marine mammals. The inspection report also points to failure in preventing conflicts between incompatible dolphins, ultimately leading to their deaths.
Lack of transparency on Lolita’s current condition exacerbates my concern as the Whale Stadium where Lolita is kept has been closed to public entry since August (2021). Among my concerns for Lolita from the very troubling USDA inspection report are eye damage resulting from lack of shade at the exhibit, injuries resulting from performance demands placed on an elderly animal (her estimated age is 56 years), possible ailments due to being fed poor quality including fish in a state of decay, and reduced food hence water by close to 20%.
I have in good faith attempted to work directly with the current operators of MSQ and was directed by them to contact The Dolphin Company. Upon contacting the Dolphin Company I was then directed to contact MSQ. I am continuing to get the run around from both the current and future operators and would like the USDA to expedite emergency action before another death occurs.
Please involve the veterinarians who know Lolita best including long time attending veterinarian (from MSQ) Ms. Magdalena Rodriguez for her expertise and transparent assessment of current conditions at Miami Seaquarium.
Please kindly respond to let me know what action your department will be taking to ensure the welfare of Lolita and all marine mammals at MSQ.
Sincerely,
[Sign your name]
2. Call Florida’s Miami Dade State Attorney, Katherine Fernandez Rundle: Politely urge her to consider animal cruelty charges against Miami Seaquarium: (305) 547-0100, M-F 8am - 6pm EST
Please feel free to add comments from above to sample script below.
Hello Ms. Fernandez Rundle,
I am deeply concerned about 3 recent marine mammal deaths at Miami Seaquarium that in my opinion could have been avoided. This is in addition to the long history of over 130 dolphin deaths at the seaquarium.
Quoting the USDA inspection report released September (this year): “The facility’s attending veterinarian’s recommendations regarding the provision of adequate veterinary care and other aspects of animal care and use have been repeatedly disregarded or dismissed over the last year.”
PETA (People for Ethical Treatment) has been urging your office to consider animal cruelty charges against Miami Seaquarium since submitting evidence in May 2020 of the abusive conditions in which Lolita is held.
The USDA inspection in June of this year reports several violations that would be considered cruel and unacceptable for the welfare of Lolita and many of the marine mammals kept at the Seaquarium.
I am asking you to thoroughly investigate and consider filing animal cruelty charges against Miami Seaquarium.
I urge you to request an immediate comprehensive medical and behavioral assessment of Lolita, so that her critical needs can be met right now.
Please involve the veterinarians who know Lolita best including long time attending veterinarian (from MSQ) Ms. Magdalena Rodriguez for her expertise and transparent assessment of current conditions at Miami Seaquarium.
3. Politely reach out to Miami Dade County’s designated temporary supervisor, Miami Zoo Director William Elgar
Note: phone directory and contact form for Zoo Miami do not include reaching Mr. Elgar https://www.zoomiami.org/contact Also, when I called, there was only an outgoing message. Phone: (305) 251-0400 x 0
Mr. William Elgar, Director,
c/o Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177
Mr. Elgar can be messaged via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-elgar-788648181/
Dear Mr. William Elgar,
I am {STATE How YOU FEEL} over news last week of 3 additional marine mammal deaths at Miami Seaquarium (MSQ). The USDA inspection report on MSQ (1) and further news this past week revealed several violations for poor conditions resulting illness, and improper management leading to untimely deaths (2) at this facility.
These deaths could have been prevented. Quoting the USDA inspection report: “The facility’s attending veterinarian’s recommendations regarding the provision of adequate veterinary care and other aspects of animal care and use have been repeatedly disregarded or dismissed over the last year.”
Since August (2021) the stadium where Lolita is exhibited has been closed, and public is not allowed entry to assess her current condition. Among my concerns from the very troubling USDA inspection report are lack of shade, eye damage, injuries resulting from performance demands placed on an elderly animal (her estimated age is 56 years), possible ailments due to being fed poor quality fish, and feeding reduced by close to 20%. Much of this resulted from disregarding advice from the long time attending veterinarian Magdalena Rodriquez.
Please intervene by involving the veterinarians who know Lolita best including Ms. Rodriguez? I urge you to request an immediate comprehensive medical and behavioral assessment of Lolita, so that her critical needs can be met right now.
I understand that you are very busy, but if you would please kindly respond to let me know what actions you will take I would appreciate it.
Sincerely
[include your name]
SOURCES:
1) NPR article on USDA inspection report: For 51 years this killer whale has lived in a tiny tank. Now her health is at risk (October 30 2021) https://n.pr/3ppJEnu
2) Miami Herald report: New federal probe at Miami Seaquarium delays lease change 3 more animal deaths (Updated December 17 2021 7:52 PM): http://hrld.us/3spAKrU
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Please pledge to ask 3 friends to sign our petition:
✅ PETITION: https://bit.ly/3pzQPJB
✅ TWEETSHEET: https://bit.ly/3kSOKoP
✅ Sign PETITION from Animal Welfare Institute: “Tell Secretary Vilsack - Tokitae Needs Help NOW!” “Several of the problems at MSQ represent blatant and extreme infractions of the regulations governing care and handling of captive marine mammals. Yet MSQ still has its USDA license to operate and hold these animals.” https://awionline.org/compassion-index#/396
SHARE this December 23, 2021 URGENT ACTION NEEDED for Tokitae/Lolita & marine mammals at Miami Seaquarium!
from the Origami Whales Project Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OrigamiWhalesProject/posts/4541299599307935
READ & SHARE my call November 2021 to ACTION blog “A picture can say a thousand words.” in response to the deeply disturbing USDA inspection report on Miami Seaquarium from the Origami Whales Project Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OrigamiWhalesProject/photos/a.154422874662318/4342526695851894
Thank you! �
Peggy Oki, Origami Whales Project Founder & Director in collaboration with Women of the World united against Taiji
Further information about Tokitae/Lolita: www.origamiwhalesproject.org/lolita
� INVITE/JOIN our “16425 Days A Slave” campaign (of the Origami Whales Project) Facebook group for �Tokitae/Lolita� to return home, and to save the Endangered�Southern Resident Orcas, including her mother (Ocean Sun), family (L Pod)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/origamiwhalesproject
✊If in Miami area on weekend(s) please join Miami Seaquarium Weekly Demos, every Sunday from 12-2pm: https://bit.ly/3bqD8VJ