50 Years In A Tiny Tank, The Mission To Free A Killer Whale

53 years ago this week, a little orca, just 4 years old, was captured by humans in Puget Sound, off the coast of Washington State and transferred to Miami Seaquarium. For the past 5 decades the orca, known as Tokitae, formally known as her stage name Lolita, has lived in a tiny tank and forced to perform for the public 3 times a day for almost 45 years. She was retired from these shows in March last year after suffering from some health issues. After years of protesters calling for her release, it seems those dreams may be coming true as soon as next year. In this episode of The Quicky we find out how a billionaire, a group of friends and a new owner are working to free one of the oldest captive orcas into open water and how she may still have the chance to reunite with her family. Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] CONTACT US Got a topic you'd like us to cover? Send us an email at [email protected] CREDITS Host: Claire Murphy With thanks to: Charles Vinick - Executive Director of the Whale Sanctuary Project and the cofounder of Friends of Toki Producer: Claire Murphy Executive Producer: Kally Borg Audio Producer: Thom Lion Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.