Miami Seaquarium criticised for not releasing Li’i, the Pacific white-sided dolphin tank-mate of Tokitae (aka Lolita) into the wild
Li’i, a 40-year-old Pacific white-sided dolphin and Miami Seaquarium tank-mate of Lolita (also known as Tokitae) the orca, who died in August, has been transferred to Seaworld in San Antonio, according to reports.
Li’i had spent 35 years of his life at Miami Seaquarium, sharing the same tank – widely criticised for its tiny size and dirty water – with the orca since 1983.
Tokitae – adopted and named Sk’ali’Ch’elh-tenaut by the Lummi tribespeople – died in August after suffering from a renal condition. At 57 years of age, she was the second-oldest orca held in captivity, after Corky, a 58-year old female orca held at SeaWorld San Diego.
The Miami Seaquarium tank’s other occupants, Elelo and Loki—a mother-and-son pair of Pacific white-sided dolphins — were moved to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium on 3 August, two weeks before Tokitae died.
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After a period of orientation to his new surroundings, Li’i will join six other members of his species – including a dolphin named Piquet with whom he has previously shared a tank – in one of SeaWorld’s larger habitats. The 2.5-million-gallon pool is also home to three beluga whales.
‘After 35 years under the care of Miami Seaquarium, Li’i, our last Pacific white-sided dolphin, who spent the last years with our beloved Lolita, was successfully moved to SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas, to a habitat with other dolphins of his same species,’ wrote Miami Seaquarium on X.
‘After the departure of Lolita, our animal care experts suggested his relocation to a habitat with other peers of his species and our efforts to look for his well-being took him to SeaWorld in San Antonio. Although we will very much miss him, we feel happy to know this is the best for him.’
Li’i, who weighs approximately 90kg (200lbs) was transported by aircraft in a water-filled tank with two vets and a trainer. The transfer was approved by both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Division and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
‘Li’i’s trip was a success,’ said Dr Christopher Dold, SeaWorld’s chief zoological officer. ‘He’s an older dolphin who has never moved before but he was very calm throughout the flight. We placed him in the water here early this morning and he is alert and interactive. He can see the other animals he will soon be living with.’
Bigger tank or sea pen?
The dolphin’s move to SeaWorld has been criticised by animal rights activists, who campaigned for Li’i, and other captive cetaceans, to be returned to the ocean.
Prior to her death, plans were underway to transfer Tokitae to a sea sanctuary off the Pacific Northwest coast of Washington, from where she had been captured in 1970, and where it is believed her family – including her 90-year-old mother – remain.
A spokesperson for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said: ‘By violating its promise to send Li’i to a seaside sanctuary and condemning him to spend the rest of his life in yet another concrete cell, the Miami Seaquarium has failed this long-suffering dolphin, just as it failed Lolita.
‘Li’i deserves the chance to return to his ocean home, to explore, dive, and finally feel some sense of freedom after years spent in a chlorinated concrete tank. PETA urges the Seaquarium to give him the peaceful oceanic retirement he is owed and send him to a seaside sanctuary.’
It is unclear if Li’i will be expected to perform at SeaWorld San Antonio, although the park does offer experiences where visitors can swim with, and feed, the dolphins.
In a Facebook post announcing the transfer, SeaWorld said that its establishment ‘is one of only two places in the United States to care for [Pacific white-sided dolphins]’, and that its veterinary team ‘is experienced with caring for older animals … and can provide a custom care regimen that will be in [Li’i’s] best interest.’
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