Thanks to a never-ending and determined push from animal rights activists and a generous donation from Indianapolis Colts’ owner Jim Irsay, a 57-year-old orca whale will be sent into her rightful home.
Per the The Guardian, orca whale Tokitae (also known as “Lolita”) will be released back to her home of Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest region. Puget Sound is an inlet in the Pacific Ocean close to Seattle, Washington.
In a news release, the Miami Seaquarium (where Tokitae is being held), announced that they reached an agreement with the non-for-profit “Friends of Lolita” group to free Tokitae back into her old home.
Pritam Singh, an environmentalist and co-founder of Friends of Lolita, The Dolphin Company CEO Eduardo Albor and the Colts’ owner “will work together to make the relocation a reality”, the release noted. The news release didn’t specify the amount, but noted that Irsay made “a generous contribution” to help bring Tokitae home.
It was also stated that the hope is that Tokitae will be released back into Puget Sound “in the next 18 to 24 months.”
Tokitae was captured at four years of age back in 1970 and was put in the Miami Seaquarium soon after. Tokitae has been in captivity ever since, but that is soon about to change thanks to the tireless efforts of many.
Tokitae is the second-oldest orca whale currently in captivity. The oldest, Corky II (born in 1965), has been held in captivity at SeaWorld in San Diego since 1987.
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Irsay became owner of the Colts in 1997 following the passing of his father, Robert Irsay. The Colts have won two AFC Championships (2006 and 2009) and one Super Bowl (in the ’06 season) during Irsay’s ownership.
