The Most Controversial Exhibit Animal in the World

A bold claim?  Perhaps - but I think not.  There probably isn't a species more controversial in zoos and aquariums than orca (killer whale).  And - SeaWorld sit down - I don't think that there is a more controversial killer whale facility (in this country, at least) than Miami Seaquarium, the home of Lolita.

Born in 1966, Lolita (AKA Tokitae, a Chinook name) is the second oldest orca known (and the only older one known is her mother).  She has been at Miami Seaquarium since her capture in 1970 - and has been a lightning rod for most of those years.  Unlike the orcas at SeaWorld, Lolita is housed alone from other orcas since the death of her male companion since 1980.  She's been housed with other dolphins off and on since then.  Her tank is considerably smaller than a SeaWorld tank, which also has lent itself to criticism.  

For years, many protestors have called for her return to the wild, the coastal waters of the Pacific northwest from where she was taken.  The Lummi people, indigenous residences of that land who consider the whale a tribal member, have led the charge.  Opponents of the move have cited the orca's age and personality - she is reportedly very averse to change and has reacted poorly to attempts to provide new habitats or stimuli over the years - as reason to just let her live out her life in Miami.  The Seaquarium has changed ownership over the years, but Lolita has remained a controversial topic in Miami for decades.  Lawsuits have rained down on the park constantly, but no traction gained.  To be honest, I expect Lolita to die of old age before anything is resolved and for her simply to not be replaced.

Shows are over for Seaquarium's killer whale

Recently, a big change came - Lolita is staying at the Seaquarium.... but won't be on exhibit.  How long this situation will last I have no idea.  A killer whale is a pretty big, expensive, time consuming animal to just keep around without having the benefit of the public seeing her.  Would they consider transferring her to SeaWorld Orlando?  Do they suspect that her days are probably relatively numbered and that this is a quiet retirement?  Is there any chance that she would go back to the northwest (judging from Keiko's experience, I hope not - I don't think she has the time to go through a proper reintro, and I suspect the stress of the journey would be too much).  I have no idea.

I've never been to the Seaquarium and have never seen her in person, nor does it look like I will at this point.  Last year, I was visiting my wife's grandfather, looking through some home movies and old photos.  Among those was a very old, very grainy video of Miami Seaquarium from a trip the family took in the 1970s.  And there was Lolita.  Or Toki, if you prefer.  It blew my mind to think of this one animal as a fixture of that city's zoological scene for decades, generations.  That tenure is probably not going to be for too much longer.