Hi Friend,
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Tokitae’s passing, and while we all wished to see her live out the rest of her days in a sanctuary, her death will not be in vain.
Since last year, there has been major progress towards ending captive cetacean entertainment in the US. In March, Miami-Dade County announced its intention to terminate Miami Seaquarium’s lease and required the Dolphin Company (the parent company of Miami Seaquarium) to vacate the property by mid-April.
Although Miami Seaquarium is refusing to leave, the county isn’t giving up and neither are we. As the issue goes to court, World Animal Protection has communicated to both the Dolphin Company and Miami-Dade County that we are available to rescue the birds and tortoises still languishing at the venue and move them to accredited sanctuaries.
While Tokitae is no longer with us, she left an incredible legacy behind, and she will not be forgotten. After being captured off the coast of Washington State at just four years old, she beat all odds and lived in captivity for over 50 years (many captured orcas didn’t live longer than 10 years in captivity). She was a fighter—and because of her, the animal rights movement continues to stay strong as ever. We won’t stop fighting and we hope you won’t either.
