Ocean Sentry
To understand the plight of Lolita, we need to go back and examine the orca captures that took place from 1965-1973. During this time 45 orcas were captured and sold to aquariums and 13 were killed in the process. Those who were captured were guarded day and night by men with guns. Local residents tried to find a way to free the orcas, but there was no way they could get to them.
Six Orcas Captured, Five Killed
Lolita was captured 39 years ago on August 8, 1970. Not only was she captured that day, five others orcas were also captured and five were killed. Four of those killed were babies who were trying desperately to get back to their mothers. They repeatedly pushed up against the net, where their mothers waited on the other side. But they were not successful and drowned. People often ask why they didn’t just jump over, but since they had never encountered a net before, they had no idea that if they jumped over, they would be free.
(Read more examiner.com, Washington, More Articles by Carole May)
