Miami Seaquarium Evicted After the Death of Lolita the Orca

Miami-Dade County is taking action against the Miami Seaquarium following the passing of Lolita the Orca, an iconic resident of the facility.

Lolita, also known as Tokitae or Toki, was an iconic Orca who captured the hearts of many during her lifetime. Born in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1970s, she was captured at a young age and brought to the Miami Seaquarium, where she spent over five decades as a popular attraction in unethical conditionals.

Throughout her years at the Seaquarium, Lolita performed in shows and lived in a tank measuring 80 feet by 35 feet and 20 feet deep. However, her captivity sparked controversy and calls for her release, with activists advocating for her to be returned to her natural habitat. Despite efforts to relocate her to a sea pen in the Pacific Northwest, Lolita remained at the Seaquarium until her passing in August 2023. Her life symbolizes the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics of keeping marine mammals in captivity and has sparked conversations about improving animal welfare standards in such facilities.

After a history of violations, including concerns about animal welfare and structural safety, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has issued a lease termination notice to The Dolphin Company, the Seaquarium's owner. The county has instructed the company to vacate the waterfront property by April 21.

Citing ongoing issues such as deteriorating animal habitats and a lack of qualified staff, Mayor Levine Cava emphasized the priority of ensuring the safety and well-being of the animals. Despite invitations from Seaquarium officials to visit and assess conditions firsthand, the mayor stated that regular visits by the county's parks department have provided sufficient insight into the situation.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s reports since 2022 also consistently identified that several structures have not been maintained properly, and that creates dangerous conditions and in many cases have resulted in injury,” the mayor said.

Eduardo Albor, CEO of The Dolphin Company, expressed confusion over the mayor's reluctance to visit the Seaquarium personally. He plans to involve legal representation to address the eviction notice, maintaining the rights of the park.

Federal inspections have revealed numerous problems at the Seaquarium, including unsafe buildings and inadequate maintenance. This action follows a commitment by The Dolphin Company to relocate Lolita to a natural sea pen in the Pacific Northwest, a plan that never came to fruition before her passing.

“At long last, authorities are taking action against the persistent animal welfare violations at Miami Seaquarium,” said Dr. Naomi Rose, senior scientist in marine mammal biology for the Animal Welfare Institute’s Marine Life Program. “This run-down facility has been a blight on Miami for too long. We hope the zoo and aquarium community steps up to the plate to ensure all of the animals — the mammals, birds, fish — find acceptable homes in U.S. facilities.”

Animal rights activists, including individuals like Jim Irsay, have long advocated for Lolita's freedom. Her death has renewed calls for improved conditions for captive marine life, with hopes that other facilities will step up to provide suitable homes for the remaining animals at the Seaquarium.

Established in 1955 and known for its role in the television series "Flipper," the Miami Seaquarium has faced scrutiny in recent years over its treatment of marine animals, culminating in the eviction notice issued by Miami-Dade County.