BY HOLLY PRETSKY

AUGUST 08, 2017

47 years ago, Lolita the killer whale was captured from the wild. It's high time for her to return to it, according to more than 40 protesters who gathered outside Miami Seaquarium Tuesday afternoon.

"Turn around! Don't buy a ticket!," they yelled at passing SUVs and tourist busses as visitors turned into the parking lot. Wide-eyed, some drivers slowed down to accept a flier or read the signs ("Thanks, but NO TANKS"). Most rolled forward past the protesters to pay the $10 parking fee.

BY ALEXANDRIA BORDAS
abordas@miamiherald.com

AUGUST 08, 2017 8:01 PM

The latest in a years-long string of protests at Miami Seaquarium took place Tuesday, which happened to be the 47th anniversary of the capture of Lolita, a killer whale that has long been at the center of an international animal rights campaign.

Only about 30 activists showed up this time, managing to hang in for nearly two hours under the blistering sun. Though few in number, some had come a long way to make their case: Free Lolita.

This is a day for everyone around the world to stand up against marine mammal captivity. The abuse and exploitation of these sentient beings has no place in the 21st century.

On May 7th, 2016, protests and educational events will be held all over the world in front of marine mammal parks and aquariums. If the park is exploiting marine mammals for entertainment and profit then we want people out front creating noise and awareness. The only way to close their doors for good is to get the general public to stop buying tickets. We need your voice, your posters, and your dedication to seeing an end to the captivity industry.

Today more than 200 hundred activists and concerned citizens came out to the Miami SaeQuarium to demonstrate against marine mammal captivity. Lolita (aka Tokitae) has been confined to a small tank at the Miami SeaQuarium for almost 44 years. Lolita, along with other marine mammals like dolphins and sea lions are forced to perform tricks throughout the day and live out miserable lives of imprisonment.

Around the country and the world similar demonstrations were taking place at marine parks and aquariums as part of Empty The Tanks Worldwide. Empty the Tanks Worldwide was created when Rachel Carbary, a Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Cove Guardian, who has traveled to Taiji, Japan to stand in opposition to the Taiji Dolphin Drive Hunt for the past two dolphin hunting seasons, had an idea to galvanize people into a worldwide event focused on ending marine mammal captivity.

This is the 2nd annual Empty the Tanks protest. This is a day for everyone around the world to stand up against marine mammal captivity. The abuse and exploitation of these sentient beings has no place in the 21st century.

On May 24th, protests and educational events will be held all over world in front of marine mammal parks and aquariums. If the park is exploiting marine mammals for entertainment and profit then we want people out front creating noise and awareness. The only way to close their doors for good is to get the general public to stop buying tickets. We need your voice, your posters, and your dedication to seeing an end to the captivity industry.

This is a huge step in the right direction!

The government has opened up their initial ruling to change the ESA language so that Lolita would become protected under the Endangered Species Act like the rest of her family. NMFS is asking for public comments over the next 2 months, let's give it to them because you know the other side will be submitting their arguments why this not a good idea!

 

This is her last hope!! Please invite your friends to this event! https://www.facebook.com/events/1442245159341081/

1,800+ comments last time of which 13 were deemed useful by NMFS and enough for the Government to propose removing the captive restriction for Lolita! They've opened this up to Scientific Community, the Commercial industry (aka the Captivity Industry) and Us!

Turned a few people away from visiting the Miami SeaPrison today. The Miami Dade County Police Department were in their typical harassing mood, especially the police officer wearing the military style hat in the video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location:
Miami SeaQuarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway
Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Date: August 24, 2013 Time: 12-2pm

Hello Friends!

We will be protesting and handing out leaflets to people informing them of the 43 years Lolita has been in captivity. Please join us to support Lolita being retired. She has made Miami Seaquarium enough money. Please help make a big statement with your support. There are plenty of signs so if you don't have one, don't worry. Join the event on Facebook!

Please share this, show up, and invite your friends. Thanks!

Parking:

This is the 1st annual Empty the Tanks protest. This is a day for everyone around the world to stand up against marine mammal captivity. The abuse and exploitation of these sentient beings has no place in the 21st century.

On July 27th, protests and educational events will be held all over world in front of marine mammal parks and aquariums. If the park is exploiting marine mammals for entertainment and profit then we want people out front creating noise and awareness. The only way to close their doors for good is to get the general public to stop buying tickets. We need your voice, your posters, and your dedication to seeing an end to the captivity industry.

Please join us on July 27th at your local marine park or aquarium. Here is the list of protest locations so far. If you do not see your city or local marine park on the list please contact me about creating your own Empty the Tank protest.

Main Even Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/633576009989898/

SeaWorld San Diego - California, USA https://www.facebook.com/events/618647978163468/
SeaWorld San Antonio - Texas, USA https://www.facebook.com/events/357838031003199/
SeaWorld Orlando - Florida, USA https://www.facebook.com/events/358351534284894/
Marineland Canada - Ontario, Canada https://www.facebook.com/events/195534500570547/
Miami Seaquarium - Florida, USA -https://www.facebook.com/events/662567280423614/
Georgia Aquarium - Georgia, USA https://www.facebook.com/events/565530896812521/
National Aquarium - Baltimore, USA https://www.facebook.com/events/499381876778173/
SeaWorld Australia - Gold Coast, Australia https://www.facebook.com/events/437066849711598/
Dolfinarium Harderwijk - Netherlands https://www.facebook.com/events/562089927145533/
Shedd Aquarium - Chicago, USA https://www.facebook.com/events/264550303682519/
Las Vegas Mirage Hotel Dolphin Habitat - https://www.facebook.com/events/118733298322945/
Durban, South Africa - https://www.facebook.com/events/299249966874495/
Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, BC - https://www.facebook.com/events/150354405145232/
Sea Life Park, Oahu - https://www.facebook.com/events/386286178151442/
Toronto, Canada - https://www.facebook.com/events/134885726689079/
Edinburgh,UK - https://www.facebook.com/events/190470844438281/
Ocean Park, Hong Kong - https://www.facebook.com/events/158796797623663/
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA https://www.facebook.com/events/383012365150320/

** More locations to be added soon.

**Please only RSVP to the events you are going to attend and contact the email below if you are interested in holding a Empty the Tanks protest in your town!!!! Let's make this huge!

Please join us on July 27th and tell the captivity industry that enough is enough! It is time to Empty the Tanks!