Raul Julia Levy
38free lolita a whale story
For more than a decade, Howard Garrett has worked tirelessly out of his home on Whidbey Island,
Wash., to return an orca whale named Lolita to her native waters. In 1995--inspired by the campaign to
release Keiko, the "Free Willy" whale--he teamed with local politicians, offering the Florida aquarium where
Lolita works a million dollars to reunite her with the pod of whales she grew up with, off the coast of
Washington state. In 1997, he spent two years in Miami--unpaid--working to garner public attention for
Lolita's cause; after nearly four decades in captivity, she's served her time, Garrett believes.
Every year since then, his organization, the nonprofit advocacy group Orca Network, has held a beachside
commemoration of the day Lolita was plucked from her family in the icy waters of Puget Sound.
But 12 years is a long time for anyone to stay committed--even in the Pacific Northwest, where the orca is treated as an icon.
"There have been times I've wanted to give up," Garrett says. "Everyone keeps telling us it's hopeless, and even when there's
a surge of enthusiasm, eventually it dwindles."
In late November, however, Garrett got a call that, in spite of his usual doubts, stirred the fight inside him.
Raul Julia-Levy, the Hollywood producer and son of actor Raul Julia, wanted to sign on to help free Lolita, and with him,
promised to bring every last Hollywood contact he could persuade. He immediately put Garrett on the phone with the wife of
Jean Claude Van Damme, and within days, had a list that included Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford and even 50 Cent.
Now Levy says he's got a benefit concert in the works that will include R&B singer Truth Hurts, Snoop Dogg and 50
(who did not return NEWSWEEK requests for comment, though Levy says "the man loves animals like you have no idea").
Nearly a dozen local politicians have signed on, as well. "We have some of the most powerful Hollywood producers behind
this campaign, and I have spoken with some of the most prominent scientists in this field," Levy says. "This beautiful animal
does
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U.S. aquariums refuse to release aging B.C. whalesJudith Lavoie, Canwest News ServicePublished: Sunday, January 27, 2008
VICTORIA, B.C. -- The answer is no.
No to a million dollars, no to pressure from celebrities and no to the romantics who believe a fairy-tale ending is possible.
Answers from Miami Seaquarium and SeaWorld San Diego to groups pressing for release of the only two surviving captured killer whales from waters in B.C. and Washington state are unequivocal, despite a high-profile campaign that lists supporters such as actors Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford.
Email to a friendPrinter friendlyFont:The campaign to free Lolita, which is at Miami Seaquarium, is led by actor and producer Raul Julia-Levy and the Washington-based Orca Network, while the campaign to free Corky, in San Diego, is led by Paul Spong of OrcaLab on Hanson Island, near Port McNeill, B.C., at the north end of Vancouver Island.
"It's really painful to see that beautiful animal contained in that stinky little tank," said Julia-Levy, who promises to lobby the U.S. Senate and use movie-industry contacts to get exposure on TV programs such as Oprah.
The tale started almost four decades ago.
Lolita, a member of the southern residents - now classified as endangered in Canada and the U.S. - was captured near Whidbey Island, Wash., in 1970, as a three-year-old. About 85 whales were driven into the cove, with boats, explosives and aircraft.
Four baby whales and a female drowned, and seven young whales were captured and sold to aquariums.
Between 1967 and 1975, more than 60 whales were captured in B.C. and Washington waters, including 40-year-old Corky, a member of the threatened northern residents. Between 11 and 13 died during the captures and most of the others died in captivity.
As the two surviving whales approach old age, groups are making a last-ditch attempt to bring them back to their home waters.
Orca Network has a net pen for Lolita in the area - near the southern end of Vancouver Island - where her family hangs out in summer.
"We would do it in the most conservative and professional way," said Howard Garrett of Orca Network, who has worked for Lolita's freedom since 1995.
Garrett hopes an offer of $1 million might sway Anheuser-Busch, owner of the Seaquarium. "We have a billionaire lined up," said Julia-Levy.
Spong wants to see an ocean net pen on northern Vancouver Island and is begging for Corky's retirement.
"If they looked at Corky as an employee who has put in years of incredible service, they could give her the equivalent of a gold watch. Make her a generous offer and let her hear the natural sounds of the ocean again," he said.
"I think it would be long-term care in the ocean, but, my sense is, if she did come back to an ocean halfway house where she could hear the sounds of her relatives, it would be a transforming experience."
But the aquariums say there is no chance either whale will be released.
There is no scientific evidence that Lolita could survive in the ocean, said Andrew Hertz, Miami Seaquarium general manager.
"It would be irresponsible for us to treat her life as an experiment and jeopardize her health and safety," he said.
"Lolita will remain at Miami Seaquarium, surrounded by people who love and protect her."
Fred Jacobs, SeaWorld spokesman, said the aquarium will not consider the proposal.
"We would consider it an act of cruelty," he said.
"She has spent virtually her entire life being cared for by humans and has none of the fear and natural suspicion she would need to survive in the wild. She's never had to hunt for food."
U.S. aquariums refuse to release aging B.C. whalesJudith Lavoie, Canwest News ServicePublished: Sunday, January 27, 2008
VICTORIA, B.C. -- The answer is no.
No to a million dollars, no to pressure from celebrities and no to the romantics who believe a fairy-tale ending is possible.
Answers from Miami Seaquarium and SeaWorld San Diego to groups pressing for release of the only two surviving captured killer whales from waters in B.C. and Washington state are unequivocal, despite a high-profile campaign that lists supporters such as actors Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford.
Email to a friendPrinter friendlyFont:The campaign to free Lolita, which is at Miami Seaquarium, is led by actor and producer Raul Julia-Levy and the Washington-based Orca Network, while the campaign to free Corky, in San Diego, is led by Paul Spong of OrcaLab on Hanson Island, near Port McNeill, B.C., at the north end of Vancouver Island.
"It's really painful to see that beautiful animal contained in that stinky little tank," said Julia-Levy, who promises to lobby the U.S. Senate and use movie-industry contacts to get exposure on TV programs such as Oprah.
The tale started almost four decades ago.
Lolita, a member of the southern residents - now classified as endangered in Canada and the U.S. - was captured near Whidbey Island, Wash., in 1970, as a three-year-old. About 85 whales were driven into the cove, with boats, explosives and aircraft.
Four baby whales and a female drowned, and seven young whales were captured and sold to aquariums.
Between 1967 and 1975, more than 60 whales were captured in B.C. and Washington waters, including 40-year-old Corky, a member of the threatened northern residents. Between 11 and 13 died during the captures and most of the others died in captivity.
As the two surviving whales approach old age, groups are making a last-ditch attempt to bring them back to their home waters.
Orca Network has a net pen for Lolita in the area - near the southern end of Vancouver Island - where her family hangs out in summer.
"We would do it in the most conservative and professional way," said Howard Garrett of Orca Network, who has worked for Lolita's freedom since 1995.
Garrett hopes an offer of $1 million might sway Anheuser-Busch, owner of the Seaquarium. "We have a billionaire lined up," said Julia-Levy.
Spong wants to see an ocean net pen on northern Vancouver Island and is begging for Corky's retirement.
"If they looked at Corky as an employee who has put in years of incredible service, they could give her the equivalent of a gold watch. Make her a generous offer and let her hear the natural sounds of the ocean again," he said.
"I think it would be long-term care in the ocean, but, my sense is, if she did come back to an ocean halfway house where she could hear the sounds of her relatives, it would be a transforming experience."
But the aquariums say there is no chance either whale will be released.
There is no scientific evidence that Lolita could survive in the ocean, said Andrew Hertz, Miami Seaquarium general manager.
"It would be irresponsible for us to treat her life as an experiment and jeopardize her health and safety," he said.
"Lolita will remain at Miami Seaquarium, surrounded by people who love and protect her."
Fred Jacobs, SeaWorld spokesman, said the aquarium will not consider the proposal.
"We would consider it an act of cruelty," he said.
"She has spent virtually her entire life being cared for by humans and has none of the fear and natural suspicion she would need to survive in the wild. She's never had to hunt for food."
Welcome to the Hub... I like your cause:-)
tDMG
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David says:
2 years ago
very nice