Times Colonist, Judith Lavoie
Forty years ago, a young killer whale was swimming with her family in the Juan de Fuca Strait and Puget Sound when, within minutes, life was forever changed for the southern resident killer whales.
Speedboats, helicopters and cherry bombs were used to herd the whales into Penn Cove, off Whidbey Island. By the time the capture crew had finished, five whales were dead and another seven had been loaded on to flatbed trucks for sale to aquariums.
The 40th anniversary will be commemorated Sunday in Victoria and Penn Cove with renewed calls for the release of Lolita, the only survivor from the years of captures.
Lolita has spent four decades at Miami Seaquarium in the smallest killer whale tank in the U.S., sparking regular protests and pleas for her release.
This year, Howard Garrett of Orca Network is hoping a combination of star power and growing public pressure will push Miami Seaquarium into allowing Lolita to retire.
Ric O’Barry, the main character from the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove, will be at the Penn Cove and Coupeville ceremonies.
“It is very exciting to have him coming here,” said Garrett, who is bringing in extra boats for the wreath ceremony because of a wave of interest.
O’Barry, now marine mammal specialist for Earth Island Institute, was a former dolphin trainer for the “Flipper” show at Miami Seaquarium. But after a dolphin died in his arms — he believes it committed suicide — he became an activist who has fought against dolphin captivity.
Orca Network and the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor have proposed that Lolita retire to a care station in a protected bay on the west side of San Juan Island, where she would be able to hear her family.
However, Seaquarium general manager Andrew Hertz has regularly issued statements saying Lolita will not be released.
That’s why public pressure is needed, Garrett said.
“There’s a whole series of violations at the aquarium and there needs to be pressure put on the [U.S.] government to carry out its responsibilities,” he said.
The boat procession around the perimeter of the Penn Cove capture site will start at 3 p.m., followed by a reception at Coupeville Wharf and ceremony at Coupeville Middle School.
In Victoria, the commemoration will be a low-key affair, with organizer Diane McNally handing out information pamphlets at the corner of Government and View streets.
“I would welcome anyone who wants to come out and help,” McNally said.
“It’s amazing that Lolita [two years old when captured] is still alive.”
Events will also be held in Miami, Seattle, Friday Harbor and Vallejo, Calif.
and a portion of all purchases is donated to Global Animal Foundation:
[...] — the controversial home to killer whale Lolita and several dolphins — regularly hosts late-night parties. For Halloween, there was [...]