Lolita Update #56
September 22, 2002

Dear Friends of Lolita~

Below are more details about the Miami Seaquarium's offer to capture and "rescue" Keiko from freedom, including the Seaquarium's press release, and contact information for those of you who would like to write or call and keep this from happening! Also, we encourage you to support the Humane Society and the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation in their continued efforts at Keiko's reintroduction - go to: HSUS Keiko News - (Webmaster Note: Dead Link).

And check out our website News Page for these articles and more on the Seaquarium vs. Keiko:

News

WHO TO CONTACT:

Gene Nitta, Director of Protected Resources, NMFS
email gene.nitta@noaa.gov
phone 301-713-2289 fax 301-713-0376.

Miami Seaquarium Arthur Hertz , owner
ahertz@msq.cc
phone 305-361-5705 fax 305-365-0075

Sen. Bob Graham of Florida has sent a letter to Norway requesting that Keiko be imported to Miamai Seaquarium. His phone numbers are:
850--907-1100 or 813- 228-2476 or 305- 536-7293

Gov. Jeb Bush's email is: jeb@jeb.org

NORWAY ULTIMATELY MAKES THE FINAL DECISION:
Send a message directly to the government of Norway. Though they at this time support Keiko's reintroduction to the wild and say their policy is that whales should not be kept in captivity (the US could learn something from Norway!), we need to let them know how we feel about this.
at: The Norway Ministry of Environment message board
The Ministry of Fisheries can be reached via email:
postmottak@fid.dep.no
or phone: +47 22 24 90 90 or fax: +47 22 24 95 85.

AND THE STATEMENT FROM THE MIAMI SEAQUARIUM. It has been confirmed by NMFS that MSQ has requested permits to capture Keiko.
Maritza Arceo
Public Relations Manager
Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Cswy
Miami, FL 33149
(305) 365-2525 Office
(305) 365-0075 Fax
www.miamiseaquarium.com

Inquiries about Keiko:

You may have read or seen the recent news accounts concerning the now famous killer whale, Keiko, who gained fame appearing in the movie "Free Willy". If so, then you are no doubt aware of the difficulty and danger he faces as he tries to survive in the wild.

Based on our expertise and experience, Miami Seaquarium has long been concerned that after almost two decades under human care Keiko is not a good candidate for release.

Keiko is currently in the coastal waters of Norway, interacting with people, begging for fish, and approaching boats with propellers that could severely harm him. A video has also been aired of Keiko overturning a small, motorized boat. These activities and Keiko's likely continued interactions with humans in an uncontrolled setting pose serious safety and health risks for people and for Keiko.

As a facility dedicated to the care of marine mammals, Miami Seaquarium has an interest in the ongoing health and well being of Keiko. To that end, we have contacted appropriate authorities and offered to rescue Keiko and insure his survival. We will continue to monitor his plight in the waters off of Norway and stand ready to assist in any way that is appropriate.

LET'S KEEP KEIKO FREE!!

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!