URGENT ACTION (Updated 20 Feb. 2022) Conflicting reports and LACK of TRANSPARENCY around “LOLITA” seriously ill at Miami Seaquarium!
From Feb. 6 (2022) PETA press release Lolita “…is reportedly suffering from pneumonia and is in danger of not receiving adequate care. The currhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/19WDcJjPWSRadvJuv6NCMEW6w5CEgCe6z0_RmXKCfjqI/edit?usp=sharingent attending veterinarian, …reportedly possessed no orca experience …the Seaquarium fired its longtime head veterinarian after she expressed concern about the extent of animal suffering at the park.”(1) to the
Palm Beach Post report on Miami Seaquarium’s statement “...vague about why the orca, 'began to feel under the weather.’”(2) then 17 Feb. 2022 Miami Local 10 News anchorman Louis Aguirre announced “…a dire outlook about the health of famed killer whale Lolita. …now on a 24-hour health watch at the Miami Seaquarium.” (3)
6 months ago MSQ closed the Whale Stadium to the public, stating they were working on repairs. This RECENT PHOTO taken 02/08/22 shows NO IMPROVEMENTS!
BOTTOM LINE: MSQ continues to DENY independent veterinary assessment for Tokitae/Lolita.
Can you spare 15 minutes to help lone female Orca “Lolita” in the most crucial time of her over 51 years at Miami Seaquarium?
TAKE URGENT ACTION (Updated 20 Feb. 2022) NOW by contacting the following!
1) USDA and APHIS [Note: 1 additional contact to APHIS 02/19/22]
2) NOAA
3) Miami Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava & County Commissioners [EDITED 02/20/22] + see document to send a message to thank Commissioner Regalado!
4) Florida’s Miami Dade State Attorney
5) Miami Dade County’s temporary supervisor, Miami Zoo Director William Elgar
To read the back story of Tokitae/Lolita’s 51-year confinement and inhumane treatment go to
“A perfect storm and silver lining.” (December 24, 2021 updated Jan. 22, 2022)
https://www.peggyoki.com/blog/archive/a-perfect-storm-and-silver-lining.htm
“A picture can say a thousand words. (October 26, 2021)
https://www.peggyoki.com/blog/archive/a-picture-can-say-a-thousand-words.htm
✊TAKE URGENT ACTION (updated Feb. 20, 2022)!
We have created Google Docs files for each action to make this easier, and people are commenting on how well this is working! Also, see UPDATE in Action 3.
Let’s contact 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).]
• STATE How YOU FEEL over the PETA press release (02/06/2022), conflicting reports, and lack of transparency.
• 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….” (4) Politely ask to include Ms. Rodriguez for her expertise and transparent assessment of current conditions at Miami Seaquarium.
[1] Take Action for Lolita - Email template for USDA and APHIS
[UPDATED: 1 additional contact to APHIS 02/19/22]
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PG3oJZlyuUf7eoZH7Z_6gBF6NT0-d9n44rUvg9x97Uw/edit?usp=sharing
[2] Take Action for Lolita - Email template for NOAA
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19WDcJjPWSRadvJuv6NCMEW6w5CEgCe6z0_RmXKCfjqI/edit?usp=sharing
[3] Take Action for Lolita - Email template for Mayor Daniella Levine Cava & County Commissioners [UPDATED 02/20/22] + see document to send a message to thank Commissioner Regalado!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tuao0PhNL4-QzKMSQYZ5T-cPjleG4YMWk18NDkxIZAI/edit?usp=sharing
[4] Take Action for Lolita - Email template for Florida’s Miami Dade State Attorney, Katherine Fernandez Rundle
https://docs.google.com/document/d/127oZ9Jz-66NkD9s0jNyv8-b8Qtro8x70PLwOfMv8NrA/edit?usp=sharing
[5] Take Action for Lolita - Letter template for Miami Dade County’s designated temporary supervisor, Miami Zoo Director William Elgar
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IKpDjFwh-e3RHXQqRratrnvt1qDTcun2JAzO2I2bCGY/edit?usp=sharing
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➕✊➕✊➕TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION!
Do the following:
✅ Sign and promote our petition - ADD polite PERSONAL COMMENTS addressed to Eduardo Albor, CEO of The Dolphin Company (pending new owner of Miami Seaquarium) on our PETITION: http://chng.it/dLXqbn4LJ6
✅ Do our 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
While we find this news very distressing, Tokitae/Lolita has been an incredible warrioress of grace & inspiration to us, and needs us all to be strong for her.
Please watch our visualization. Introductions and orientation are presented before the actual visualization portion beginning at around 7 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYI2vEZX2qE
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Peggy Oki, Origami Whales Project Founder & Director
Further information about Tokitae/Lolita: www.origamiwhalesproject.org/lolita
Further information on Women of the World united against Taiji: www.wowvstaiji.com
INVITE/JOIN our “16425 Days A Slave” campaign (of the Origami Whales Project) FB 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 weekends please join Miami Seaquarium Weekly Demos, every Sunday from 12-2pm: https://bit.ly/3bqD8VJ
SOURCES:
1) PETA press release (02/06/2022) "Breaking: Lolita Deathly Sick at Miami Seaquarium, Reports Whistleblowers": https://bit.ly/3rw0LVp
2) Palm Beach Post "Miami Seaquarium acknowledges killer whale Lolita has been ill": https://bit.ly/3v5iXaE
3) Miami Seaquarium’s famed orca Lolita in declining health, ex-employee tells Local 10: https://bit.ly/3JCch7S
4) 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
#16425DaysASlave #OrigamiWhalesProject #WOWvsTaiji