Lolita/Tokitae/Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut
Updates

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Lolita Update #113
Protest Jan. 30; Call-in Jan. 23; more
January 11, 2010

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In This Issue

Protest Saturday, January 30th at the Seaquarium

International Call-in Day - January 23

Looking for "City Captains"

Ways of Whales workshop January 23

The Cove now on DVD

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A demo will be held to show our support of Lolita's retirement in front of the Miami Seaquarium on Saturday January 30th from 12-2PM to protest against the Seaquarium's stubborn refusal to allow Lolita to retire in a protected bay pen in Washington. Every last Saturday of the month will be a demo, same time, same place. Please pass the word on to friends and family. Please come and show your support! Lolita's family, the Southern Resident Orcas that inhabit the waters off the coast of Washington, have had a great 2009, SIX new calves were born in the past year, which shows that her family is thriving and awaiting her arrival!
Here is the protest schedule for the upcoming months:
Monthly demo schedule (all Saturdays):

  • Jan 30th

  • Feb 13th

  • March 27th

  • April 24th

  • May 15th

  • June 26th

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International Call-in Day - January 23, 2010
Message from Nikki Gianni:

Hi Everyone!
Thank you all for supporting Lolita the orca whale's retirement from Miami Seaquarium. In September, we had a very successful "Call-in" day where more than 100 people from around the world called the aquarium to ask for Lolita's release to her family pod in Puget Sound, Washington.
We will now be having another call-in day. See the Facebook Call-In page here.
Please call Seaquarium at (305) 361-5705 throughout the day on January 23, 2010.
If the line is busy, call again in 2-5 minutes. We must get the message through to them that we are sickened by Lolita's confinement for 40 years in a tank that breaks APHIS (USDA) code for size.
Here's an example of what to say on the phone:

"Hi, I'm calling from (your city) and I am concerned about Lolita's living conditions. Her tank is sub-standard and about the size of a hotel swimming pool. My family and I will be boycotting your aquarium until she is retired and or released."
Remember to be polite on the phone.
If we are rude to them, they will never help Lolita.
Thank you for all your support!
Nikki

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Looking for "City Captains" for
International Protest for Lolita!

Finally everyone that wants to help Lolita but doesn't live in Miami or even the United States now can! Thanks to Niki we are starting an international day to protest for the retirement of Lolita, the lone captive orca kept in an illegal sized tank at the Miami Seaquarium. On Saturday May 15th we are looking for city captains from all around the world to organize a protest (in front of a captive facility, city center, or busy town square) to show the Seaquarium that people from all over the United States and the WORLD want to see Lolita retired back to her native waters off the coast of Washington. Pictures and videos of the protests will be broadcast and then sent to the Seaquarium. I'm sure local media will get involved and we will raise more awareness than ever about Lolita's plight and why she must be retired.

If you are interested in being a city captain and organizing a protest in your city please contact me: Shelby@savelolita.com and I will get back to you with the details! Let's all fight for Lolita and show the Seaquarium and the WORLD we are not backing off until Lolita is retired!

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For all those in the Pacific Northwest:

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Orca Network's
Ways of Whales workshop
Saturday, January 23, 2010
9 am - 4:30 pm
Coupeville Middle School Performing Arts Center
501 S. Main St, Coupeville
Whidbey Island, WA

Some of the region's best experts on Pacific Northwest whales will present new information about orcas and humpbacks and the habitats that support them. Educational displays and materials will be available throughout the day as well.

This annual workshop has become a favorite regional gathering of whale experts and those who want to learn more about the whales. Naturalists, researchers, educators, or anyone who thrills at seeing whales and wants to know more about the amazing cetaceans that frequent our shorelines is welcome.

Our 2010 Ways of Whales Workshop features the most recent and interesting research on Southern Resident orcas and Humpback whales, and will include wonderful photos and stories about the whales, how they relate to each other, and how they are much like us in many ways.

This year's presentations include:

Dr. Mike Ford of NOAA Fisheries on recent Southern Resident Orca DNA paternity research. Who are the fathers within the Southern Resident Orca Community? Come hear the latest scandalous news about our favorite stud, J1, and other interesting facts this research has unearthed.

Dr. Fred Sharpe of the Alaska Whale Foundation will enchant us with stories and photos of his insightful research on the feeding habits of humpbacks in SE Alaska, including cooperative bubble net feeding. If you've not had the opportunity to see Fred on National Geographic TV or hear him speak, don't miss it - and if you have heard him speak, we know you'll want to hear him again!

Howard Garrett of Orca Network will present an update on the status of the Southern Resident orcas, and a quick "Orca 101" to set the stage for the day.

The day will end with an expert Dam Panel, including Michael Garrity Washington State Conservation Director for American Rivers, Robert Elofson, River Restoration Director for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Steve Mashuda, attorney in the Northwest office of Earthjustice, and Dean Butterworth, Outreach and Education Specialist for Olympic National Park, to discuss the important issues of salmon and habitat restoration, and keeping our Resident orcas fed.

The Capt. Whidbey Inn is a sponsor of the Ways of Whales Workshop, and workshop participants are invited to a no-host gathering at the Captain Whidbey Inn lounge after the workshop. Cost of the workshop is $25. Lunch will be available on-site for $7 if pre-registered.

More information & registration online at: Current trip page - (Webmaster Note: Page has changed since 2010) or by contacting Orca Network at 360-678-3451 or E-Mail.

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Protest Saturday, January 30th at the Seaquarium.

Protest Saturday, January 30th at the Seaquarium

Somehow we have to convince the Taiji dolphin-killers to stop slaughtering dolphins. Below are some ways we all can help.

The Cove: now in DVD

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Ric O'Barry writes:

"I hope you'll join me in this campaign to stop the killing of dolphins in Japan. Most people in Japan don't have any idea that the dolphin slaughter is even happening. If we can spread the word around the world - and especially in Japan - we can expose the secret of Taiji and force the Japanese government to stop it. We can win this issue - but we need your help!
At the Cove in Taiji, the dolphin killing continues. Although the killing of bottlenose dolphins - the primary target species - has dramatically decreased compared to previous seasons, they, along with other dolphin species, including many pilot whales and Risso's dolphins, continue to be captured for aquariums and slaughtered for meat by the Taiji fishermen. The fight for the protection of all marine mammals goes on. For updates on the situation, visit our Blog."

Things you can do:

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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!