Salazar and DelBene Request Update on Welfare of Miami Orca, Lolita

Washington, D.C – Today, Congresswomen Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) led a letter calling for an update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Lolita – the world’s oldest captive orca who has lived at the Miami Seaquarium since her capture from Washington's Puget Sound in 1970.

“Lolita is a Miami treasure, and we must ensure her safety and well-being. The federal government needs to step up and I am calling on the appropriate authorities to help provide the attention and care that she needs,” said Salazar.   

“Our responsibility to Southern Resident Killer Whales extends far beyond the Puget Sound. We must ensure our animal welfare laws are fully enforced to protect these icons of the Pacific Northwest and I thank my colleagues for their bipartisan support in this effort,” said DelBene.

The lawmakers have requested clarity from the USDA as to what protections Lolita and other animals have if they are not covered under the Animal Welfare Act exhibitor’s license.

Background:

Earlier this year, the Seaquarium changed ownership and the USDA issued a license to the new owner under the Animal Welfare Act. The license unusually excluded coverage of Seaquarium’s Whale Stadium, where Lolita and another animal, a dolphin named Lii, both reside. USDA has never issued a license that does not cover all the licensee’s facilities and animals. Because these two animals are also covered under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act, this USDA decision raises concerns about the animals’ legal status and welfare.

For a copy of the letter please click here.

In addition to Rep. Salazar and DelBene, the letter was also signed by Representatives Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Brian Mast (FL-18), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Adam Schiff (CA-28).