Lolita has been at the Miami Seaquarium since she was captured in 1970.
“If, in the future, you intend to exhibit either of these animals , or resume using this pool for exhibition purposes, you will need to apply for a new license,” USDA Deputy Administrator Elizabeth Goldentyer wrote the company, according to the newspaper.
Lolita has been the focus of a decades-long campaign by animals rights activists who want to return the orca to its natural habitat, theA recent USDA inspection report from June revealed that Lolita’s longtime attending veterinarian of 23 years was concerned when the newly hired curator made the orca perform fast swims and big jumps despite her age and a jaw injury,reported.
“It’s a big win for Toki that she doesn’t have to perform anymore,” Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado told the. “Finally, this USDA license allows the county to close a chapter with the old operator, which has done a shoddy job and has not been transparent, and move forward with a new operator that has a different bent on how to run a marine park and treat animals.”
The current owner of the Seaquarium, Festival Fun Parks, pays Miami-Dade County $2.5 million to rent county land, the newspaper reported.