It’s saddening to know that animals who are meant to be free are captured just to entertain the human species. Lolita the orca unfortunately fits right into this category. Lolita (also known as Tokitae) the orca, was born around the year of 1966. She was a very young free orca until she was captured. She was sold for 20,000 dollars to the Miami aquarium in 1970 where she was trained to perform tricks for their orca show. Lolita was trapped in an 80-foot wide and 20-foot deep tank with one other orca, Hugo.

Lolita was partnered up with her mate Hugo. They lasted together for 10 years and even mated together, however, no offspring was ever produced. Because Hugo and Lolita were trapped in a small tank, Hugo began to show signs of distress and depression. He would often bang his head against the wall and would either bite or bump his trainers. Hugo was very unhappy being trapped, swimming in circles, and performing the same shows every day just for an aquarium to gain money, Hugo eventually died on March 4th, 1980, he killed himself by banging his head against the wall. Lolita had lost her other half. Her friend and her only real family.

Lolita didn’t deserve the life she was given. After being left alone Lolita started to show signs of distress, she did not act the way she normally acted and was mostly sad. Animal activists often talked about these issues and argued that it violated the Animal Welfare Act of 1966. They argued that she should be set free to prevent her life ending in a similar way as Hugo’s end. The government did not agree with the activists’ statement and didn’t move forward with the activists’ request. Although in March 2023, it was announced by the Miami Aquarium that she would be set free in the year 2025, Many activists were happy and believed that she would finally live the life she deserves. Sadly, Lolita didn’t have the chance to be released. It was confirmed later this year that Lolita had died on August 18th. Lolita shouldn’t have lived the way she lived. She should have been sent free and lived up to 90 years, but she didn’t, she died at the age of 57. All that’s left is the memory of Lolita. Hopefully, her story can encourage others to fight for the animals that are in a similar position as Lolita right now.