Was this 'A Whale of A Week' or what? Orcas Spotted Off the Irish Coast, Lolita, Miami Seaquarium,Wildlife Conservation Society, Sustainable Action Network (SAN)

Orcas (also known as killer whales) are one of the most awe-inspiring animal species of the sea. They live in tightly bonded matrilineal pods and remain close to their immediate family members all their lives. They can travel up to 100 miles in a single day, which makes them one of the most widely ranging mammals in the world. Their brains are approximately four times larger than humans’ brains. MRI scans have revealed that the brain lobes responsible for processing complex emotions are also significantly larger in the brain of an orca than they are in the brain of a human. Cultures around the world have long revered orcas as symbols of power, majesty, and grace.

Sadly, these animals have been targeted for capture and imprisonment by marine parks and amusement centers around the world for decades. Psychological and physical health problems are rife among captive orcas. These conditions include dorsal fin collapse, depression, dental problems (caused by frustrated orcas compulsively chewing the sides of their enclosures), and aggressive behavior that is almost never witnessed in the wild. Some of the most well-known victims of the captive cetacean industry include Tilikum, Lolita, Keto, and Morgan.

When humans get to see orcas in the wild, expressing all of their natural instincts and tendencies as they see fit, this experience can be truly amazing. On Monday, March 5, 2018, there was great excitement off the coast of Dingle Bay, Ireland, when two famous orcas were spotted by members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). IWDG member Nick Massett was the first person to spot them. He then called two fellow crew members, Britta Wilkens and Simon Crompton, to come out onto the water with him to see the whales.

Britta Wilkens described the sighting as “magical.”

Orcas Spotted Off the Irish Coast Demonstrate Why These Animals Belong in the Wild

“An early morning text message from Nick Massett usually means something exciting is happening on the cetacean front,” she said. “One of (the orcas) was instantly recognizable by a large chunk out of his dorsal fin: John Coe, a member of the Scottish West Coast Community of Killer Whales and a sometime visitor to our shores.”

Wilkens believes that calm oceanic conditions – with the absence of any significant wind – added to the magic of this encounter. Visibility from the boat was high and the orcas’ powerful blows were clearly audible. “Back home by 11 a.m. – one quick spin and what felt like a foray into a whole different world for ages. It was my first ever killer whale encounter by boat: incredible, powerful, pure magic,” she remarked.

Wilkens’ words attest to the unmatchable power of witnessing orcas in their natural environment.

When these incredible, intelligent animals have not been forcibly put on display for the sake of human entertainment – but have instead drawn close to us of their own accord – the honor of seeing them could not be greater.

The orcas’ breathtaking visit to Irish shores also communicates an important message about oceanic pollution and overfishing. Both of these are grave threats to marine wildlife all over the world. Sadly, Irish orca sightings have been on a steady decline over the past few years, peaking in 2011 with seventeen sightings, and reaching just three sightings in 2017. It has long been known among Irish whale watching circles that the small group of nine orcas who frequently visit Irish waters may be heading toward extinction, as they have had no new births over the past 25 years.

In January 2016, one of the adult females belonging to this group – known as Lulu – was found dead on the island of Tiree, Scotland. Lulu died after becoming entangled in fishing rope. She was yet another victim of the commercial fishing industry which kills an untold amount of “bycatch” animals (species such as whales, dolphins, turtles and rays, who are accidentally captured in fishing nets) per year.

A post-mortem examination also revealed that she had one of the highest concentration of toxic pollutants ever recorded in the body of a marine animal. The concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Lulu’s body was especially high. PCBs are man-made chemicals that were once commonly used in the production of electrical equipment. Many countries banned PCBs in the 1970s because of their extremely destructive environmental effects, but a great deal of these chemicals remain active in our environment today. It is no surprise that Lulu ended up carrying so many pollutants in her system, given that massive amounts of waste (especially plastics) find their way into our oceans every year.

Andrew Brownlow, head of the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), said: “Given what is known about the toxic effects of PCBs, we have to consider that such a high-pollutant burden could have been affecting her health and reproductive fitness.”

For more information about the IWDG, visit their website or Facebook page.

Lolita May Be Freed After 47 Years of Captivity Thanks to Native American Tribe!

Animal activists have been fighting for decades to free Lolita the orca from the confines of the tanks at Miami Seaquarium. Lolita lives in the smallest tank for orcas in the entire country, a space so small it does not even meet the bare minimum legal standards that require a captive orca’s tank to measure at least twice the length of the orca. Despite this, she continues to live in isolation away from any other members of her species. She is forced to perform unnatural tricks for crowds, only to spend the rest of her days floating lifelessly in her bathtub of a tank. However, thankfully, there is some very hopeful news for this precious orca — the Lummi tribe may be legally entitled to custody of Lolita thanks to an 1855 treaty!

Lolita was captured in the Salish Sea 47 years ago as a two-year-old calf. The Salish Sea and the surrounding areas in western Washington, including Orcas Island, have been home to the Lummi tribe for 12,000 years. Under the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855, the Lummi people are legally entitled to protect their coastal lands, water, and fish. Especially considering orcas are an endangered species, the argument to release Lolita to the custody of the Lummi is strong, and advocates are hopeful that this may be the legal loophole that finally grants Lolita freedom.

The Lummi unanimously voted to free Lolita, with Lummi council member Freddy Lane stating, “We have stolen her life from her.” The Lummi have successfully protected their lands using the same treaty before, and with cooperation from former Miami Mayor Philip Levine and marine biologists, Lolita may get to live the remaining years of her life in a sanctuary sea pen.

The easiest thing for you to do to help Lolita, and other captive animals like her, is to never buy a ticket to the Miami Seaquarium or any other business like it. Despite all the information available regarding the dangers of keeping cetaceans in captivity, people still visit these parks, so make sure you share this with your network as a reminder to never support animal cruelty!

PETA's legal team successfully pushed for Lolita to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. Now, we need to win her freedom.

Lolita was just 4 years old when she was torn away from her family and her ocean home nearly five decades ago.

Although her family members still swim in the vast waters where she was captured, Lolita can only drift in tiny circles, stuck at the Miami Seaquarium in the smallest orca tank in North America—perhaps even the world. She hasn't even seen another orca since her tankmate Hugo died more than 35 years ago.

PETA is campaigning hard for Lolita to be released into a seaside sanctuary—and now, you can give a boost to the trailblazing legal team working to win her release.

We hope to raise $100,000 by March 31 to give our legal team the resources that it needs in order to help Lolita and other animals like her. Make your gift to the PETA Legal Fund today. Even as little as $5 will be an important contribution to our work.

PETA has unearthed records that the Miami Seaquarium tried to keep sealed so that the public wouldn't know how much Lolita is suffering. They reveal that this lonely orca is forced to take a veritable cocktail of drugs and medications—including antibiotics, antifungals, pain medication, steroids, and hormones—almost daily, all to treat ailments caused by her captivity. Her teeth are permanently damaged, likely from gnawing on the sides and gates of the tank, and she's going insane from the stress of confinement.

Yet the Miami Seaquarium is still forcing Lolita to perform in show after show, two or sometimes even three times a day.

From buying stock in the Miami Seaquarium's parent company to suing it under the Endangered Species Act and the government for licensing the aquarium to exhibit her to mobilizing tens of thousands of people to join our call for her release, PETA is working vigorously to win Lolita's freedom from that watery prison. Now we need your help as we continue to fight in her behalf.

Our legal team will never back down. Please make a donation to the PETA Legal Fund today to support our groundbreaking work for Lolita and other animals in need.

No matter how long it takes, we won't give up on helping Lolita and other abused animals. With support from kind people like you, PETA has already achieved more legal precedents for animals than any other group. But we can't rest on our laurels!

Until all the tanks are emptied, our legal team will keep working to win Lolita's freedom and to secure other animals' fundamental rights. Donate to the PETA Legal Fund today and help us accomplish even more for animals.

Thank you for your compassion and for taking action for long-abused animals like Lolita.

To learn more about some of the issues affecting orcas’ wellbeing, health and survival – and how you can help them today – check out the links below.

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