Lolita Update #100
CNN Lolita story on YouTube
October 18,2008

Dear Friends of Lolita~

Starting at about 1:20 PM Eastern, on Friday, Oct. 17, CNN Headline News showed a 4 minute segment about Lolita every hour for the rest of the day. If you missed Shelby's interview you can find it here:

Shelby hit just the right notes in a clear, confident voice, saying that the proposal for Lolita's retirement is very credible, that the Seaquarium whale tank is illegal, even quoting the law (sec. 3.128) under the Animal Welfare Act (administered by APHIS - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, under the USDA) that the tank violates, and the fact that the Seaquarium is not a member of the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) because the tank is illegal and orcas should not be held solo. She countered the Seaquarium's claims that transporting Lolita would somehow harm her, she correctly said Lolita could live another 4 or 5 decades in her home waters, and that her situation is completely different than Keiko's because we know where Lolita's family is and her mother may even still be among them. She pointed out that orca shows are not educational and don't even talk about their natural environment.

The CNN anchor seemed to get it, saying Lolita was "kidnapped" from her family and that our proposal is to "gently reintroduce" her. If anyone saw the Lolita segment later in the evening on Friday or today, October 18, please email Orca Network.

Much is going on to help bring Lolita home and to inform and advocate for her and her family Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to help Orca Network continue this work. Thank you!