Philanthropist billionaire Jim Irsay is funding a $20 million plan to free the orca Tokitae from her small enclosure at the Miami Seaquarium.
The plan to free Tokitae involves transporting the 3,629 kg orca by plane across the United States and releasing her in a marine bay near Seattle, Business Insider reported on August 2. Friends of Toki, the advocacy organization responsible for the plan with funding from Jim Irsay, the CEO of an Indianapolis company, stated that the animal could be transported within the next 18 to 24 months.
Tokitae celebrating her 40th birthday at the aquarium. (Photo: Jeff Greenberg).
According to the plan, in collaboration with the owner of the Miami Seaquarium, The Dolphin Company, the 6.4-meter orca will be securely strapped and placed in a sealed glass tank at the aquarium. This tank will be transported by truck to Miami Airport and transferred to a large cargo plane like the C-130 Hercules.
Tokitae will fly with caretakers on the 4,345 km journey to Seattle Airport, where she will be transported by truck to the Salish Sea. The life support systems for Tokitae during the trip, including pool water filtration equipment, cost over $5,000. Since Tokitae is not healthy enough to swim long distances or hunt for herself, she will live in a 6-hectare netted enclosure near the San Juan Islands.
Tokitae, also known as Lolita, has performed for 53 years. She was captured from Penn Cove in Washington when she was just 4 years old. The animal has lived in the smallest orca enclosure in the world, measuring 24.4 x 10.6 meters. Recent reports indicate her health is rapidly declining. Under pressure from activists, particularly the Lummi Nation, the Miami Seaquarium agreed to cease live performances of the orca last year.
Orcas are highly social animals that are deeply bonded with their mothers. Activists hope that Tokitae can be reunited with her mother, who is still alive and swimming near the netted area. Lii, a Pacific white-sided dolphin who shares an enclosure with Tokitae at the Miami Seaquarium, may also be moved to live with her.
