This ruling sentences a highly intelligent, deeply lonely, and distressed orca to a lifetime of physical and psychological harm, confined to a tiny concrete cell without family, friends, or freedom.
DANIEL RIVERO: ‘A federal appeals court has blocked a last ditch attempt to free Lolita, the orca housed at the Miami Seaquarium, in a case brought by the non-profit advocacy group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA. The suit alleged that Lolita was being held in violation of the Endangered Species Act since the killer whale was being “harmed” and “harassed” by being held in captivity with other species and being forced to do tricks.
Ultimately, the suit called for her release and was part of a years-long campaign to free the orca. Nearly every weekend protesters show up at the gates of the Miami Seaquarium to denounce her captivity and call for her release. The court had previously upheld a lower court’s dismissal of the case, but PETA asked the court to reopen the case earlier this year. The court denied that request but noted that the advocacy group’s arguments warranted a response…
“This ruling sentences a highly intelligent, deeply lonely, and distressed orca to a lifetime of physical and psychological harm, confined to a tiny concrete cell without family, friends, or freedom,” PETA attorney Jared Goodman said in a statement. “It ignores today’s understanding of the way orcas suffer deeply in captivity, and PETA will continue pushing for Lolita’s release into a protected seaside sanctuary in her home waters”.’ SOURCE…
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