Free Lolita! A Whale Story

It's been nearly four decades since Lolita the killer whale was snatched from her family in the waters of Puget Sound. Now activists want to bring her home.

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 not deserve to die in a stinky little tank, and we are not going to take less than a full victory."

The problem, of course, is that not everyone feels the way Levy and his Hollywood buddies do. The debate over Lolita has at times divided the Puget Sound community, and many scientists have been hesitant to endorse Garrett's cause. The Miami Seaquarium, where Lolita has lived for the past 37 years, has long been unwilling to consider the idea of releasing her and is calling the latest campaign a "publicity grab" by uninformed activists. The park's general manager, Andrew Hertz (the son of the park's owner, Arthur Hertz), contends that Lolita is healthy and happy--performing two shows a day--and quips that "you can't make a 7,000 pound animal do what she doesn't want to do."

Hertz says Lolita receives daily checkups, and that--despite criticism of her living conditions in the past--she receives the "best care of any orca in the world." He points to a 2004 inspection report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that says Lolita "appears to be healthy and well-adjusted to her environment" despite a pool that "appears small." (The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service states that the primary enclosure for a killer whale must have a minimum horizontal dimension of no less than 48 feet in either direction. Lolita's tank is about 35 feet on either side of its sizable middle island--which means it meets the specifications when the total space is tallied.) "Lolita is home," says Hertz. "This is where she lives, where she's with people who care for her and love her, and wouldn't ever do anything to hurt her."

That may be the case, but the story of her capture is an easy tear-jerker. On Aug. 8, 1970, at the age of about three, Lolita (then called Tokitae) and her extended family of more than 100 orcas--her pod--were gathered in Puget Sound when capture boats and aircraft began hurling explosives into the water to herd them into a small cove. The orcas had been through this before, and split into two groups: the females and their young stayed underwater and tried to escape to the north, while the rest acted as decoys and headed east. At first the distraction worked--until the first group had to come up for air. While the rest of her family watched, Lolita and six other babies were lifted onto rubber mats on flatbed trucks; they were sold to marine parks and aquariums across the country.

Actors Johnny Depp and Raul Julia Jr, Let The Whale Go !!!!!!!!!!!!!

A wave of celebrity support from Hollywood could eventually carry Lolita back home to Puget Sound. Whidbey-based Orca Network has been working for years to bring the killer whale home. She was captured during the infamous killer whale roundups in Penn Cove in the 1970s and for the past 37 years has been performing at the Miami Seaquarium. Lolita is 20 feet long, weighs 7,000 pounds and lives in a tank that measures 80 feet across at its widest and 20 feet deep. Efforts to return Lolita to her home have been locally publicized for many years, but now the scale of publicity has been notched up exponentially. Newsweek magazine on Jan. 23 ran a long story on the plight of Lolita, quoting Howard Garrett, who with Susan Berta founded the Orca Network which they operate out of their Greenbank home. “This is a big breakthrough,” Garrett said Thursday of the Newsweek coverage. “It’s worldwide now.” The magazine story cites the growing celebrity involvement in the effort to bring Lolita back to her home waters, crediting the movement to Raul Julia-Levy, a Hollywood producer and son of the late actor Raul Julia. He called Garrett in November and went on to recruit a list of supporters that includes actors Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford and rappers 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg, along with R&B singer Truth Hurts, plus a number of politicians. Newsweek says Levy is working on a benefit concert that would support the Lolita movement. “This beautiful animal does not deserve to die in a stinky little tank, and we are not going to take less than a full victory,” Levy told Newsweek. Garrett said it’s too early to announce any particular concert plans but admitted that “we’re working on it.” “Momentum is building,” he said. “A publicity campaign is in the works being directed by people in Hollywood.” Garrett wasn’t entirely thrilled by the Newsweek article, saying it might lead the reader to believe that Lolita could be better off at the Seaquarium, where she has lived for so many years. “The idea that she’s habituated, that she’d be totally out of her element if she were brought back, ignores the intelligence of the species and their family bonding for life,” he said. Another killer whale, Keiko of “Free Willy” fame, was released back into the wild and eventually died in Norway for unclear reasons. Garrett said not enough was known about Keiko’s family, while Lolita’s family remains in the Puget Sound area and would likely welcome here back. Years ago, the plan for Lolita was to bring her back to Penn Cove to acclimate to Puget Sound, but Garrett said that has changed. Now, she would be placed in the waters of San Juan Island’s Kanaka Bay, which was used to hold killer whales during the roundup days. Several were held there before they were released, and the eyebolts are still in the rocks which allow a net to be strung across the entry to the small bay. Garrett envisions Lolita staying there in the friendly company of her trainers and staff from the Seaquarium, until she is comfortable in her home surroundings. “It could take weeks or months,” he said. The Seaquarium owners have always refused to negotiate the release of the whale. But until now they haven’t had to deal with the likes of Johnny Depp and 50 Cent.

Actors Johnny Depp And Raul Julia Jr Rally Celebrities in Orca Campaign

More than two dozen celebrity actors, singers and producers apparently have joined a campaign to return a captive killer whale named Lolita to her home waters of Puget Sound.

Calling on friends in the entertainment business, actor Raul Julia Jr has offered endorsements from actors Johnny Depp, Lindsay Lohan, Jean Claude Van Damme and Harrison Ford; musicians Janet Jackson and 50 Cent; and producers Jonathan Sanger and Ed Elbert. Many other famous names are on the list.

Howard Garrett of Orca Network, who has been leading the Free Lolita Campaign for 12 years, said Julia Jr's passions have breathed new life into the effort. The goal remains to purchase the 40-year-old Lolita from Miami's Seaquarium and reintroduce her to close relatives still swimming free in Puget Sound.

"We have known from the beginning in 1995 that we would need some celebrity or nationwide spokesperson and a big donor," Garrett said. "Raul is working on both. He has some very good connections."

Julia Jr said most of the celebrities he has contacted don't require a hard-sell approach.

"Once I get their attention, I tell them there's a beautiful animal that was kidnapped and taken into captivity 37 years ago." he said. "They usually want to hear more."

Most people he approaches know about Keiko, the killer whale who starred in the "Free Willy" films and was eventually released to his home waters of Iceland, Julia Jr said. Keiko never found his family; he was turned away by his human supporters; and he eventually died in Norway in 2003 — five years after his return.

In Lolita's case, her extended family is well known, which could make all the difference in her survival in the wild, he said.

Lolita was captured in Puget Sound on Aug. 8, 1970, at the age of about 3, according to Orca Network. She was placed in a pool in Miami and trained to do tricks before an audience. Today, she is the only survivor out of 45 Puget Sound orcas that were captured and shipped to marine parks around the world. All the others were dead by 1987.

Garrett says female orcas may live to be 90 years old, participating in a rich culture of social interaction.

He and others — including Ken Balcomb, the dean of Puget Sound orca research — believe returning Lolita to the wild would improve her quality of life and offer an incredible learning opportunity. More importantly, they say, it's the right thing to do.

The "Lolita Retirement Plan" includes provisions to avoid a repeat of the Keiko experience. If things do not work out, Lolita would receive long-term care.

Michelle Palomino, spokeswoman for Miami Seaquarium, said she had not heard of the celebrity support for the Free Lolita Campaign, but aquarium owners remain opposed to release. In fact, Lolita's health and safety would be more jeopardized in an environment where Puget Sound orcas have been declared an endangered species, she said.

"Lolita will remain here at the Miami Seaquarium surrounded by people who love and protect her," Palomino said.

Julia Jr said Lolita does not belong in captivity, and that's something that many people can understand.

He wanted to get Johnny Depp involved because the actor's "love for humanity and animals is extraordinary." Julia Jr said he approached Depp at a movie premier, where Depp not only agreed to join the cause for Lolita, but expressed concern about other captive whales and dolphins of which he was aware.

"When I looked at Johnny's face, a tear came out of my eye," Julia-Levy said. "He said, 'You don't have to sell this so hard."

Several agents, managers and publicists were contacted by the Kitsap Sun to confirm their clients' support for the campaign. Most did not respond before deadline. Two or three said they needed to check further.

Julia Jr said he bypasses those folks and simply asks for permission from the celebrities themselves.

Some, like Harrison Ford, said he could be listed as a supporter but nothing else, according to Julia Jr. He said he got to know Ford on the set of "Presumed Innocent," a film in which his father, Raul Julia, played a role.

The only actor who first mentioned a publicist was Esai Morales, Julia-Levy said, but when he showed Morales a film about orcas in the wild, the actor was convinced. Morales has appeared in dozens of movies and played Lt. Tony Rodriguez in 55 episodes of NYPD Blue.

With a reporter on the line, Julia Jr placed a three-way phone call to Morales and caught him in his doctor's office. Briefly irritated, Morales paused before confirming that he supported Julia-Levy's efforts to release Lolita from captivity.

"What does it mean to be human if we can't be humane?" he said. "When I see these things, it makes me ashamed for my race — not my ethnic race but my human race."

Julia Jr said the next step is to organize some kind of concert or other event to draw attention to the issue and raise much-needed funds. He said he's in touch with moneyed people in Hollywood who wish to contribute to the cause.

Garrett of Orca Network said he has been talking to supporters about launching a major advertising campaign to solicit contributions.

"Thanks to Raul, this seems more real than ever before," Garrett said. "The amazing thing is how he finds the right people and gets them fired up."

Actor and Philanthropist Raul Julia Jr's Passionate Quest for Lolita's Freedom Gains Momentum

he Free Willy Foundation, under the umbrella of the Earth Island Institution, joins Hollywood's elite calling for the release of a captive Orca whale.

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) March 4, 2008 -- Imagine roaming around in an eight by ten room for the rest of your life, receiving the same food day in, day out, at the same time, performing the same routine over and over again. Feeling claustrophobic? Depressed? That's how Lolita feels as she swims in an 18 feet deep, 35 feet by 80 feet tank, only a fraction of the vast ocean she once explored, eating the same ration of fish and jumping through the same hoops.

Lolita is the orca whale held captive at the Miami Seaquarium for the past 37 years. Recently her story has made international news as celebrities have stood behind the campaign for her release. On January 23, Newsweek ran an article about Lolita titled "Free Lolita! A Whale Story" that explains in detail the whale's inhumane plight.

Free Lolita! A Whale Story

Recent media coverage has compared Lolita's story to that of Keiko, the orca star of the Free Willy movies, directed by Richard Donner. In 1994, the Earth Island Institution (EII) established the Free Willy Keiko Foundation (FWKF) that eventually realized its mission of successfully rehabilitating Keiko to his oceanic home in the volcanic Westman Islands of Iceland.

For the Keiko Project, the Free Willy Keiko Foundation received generous assistance from the Earth Island Institute and numerous other foundations. According to EII's website, the organization "works for solutions to environmental problems by promoting citizen action and incubating a diverse network of projects."

The rehabilitation of Keiko involved many steps. First the FWKF negotiated the donation of Keiko from the Reino Aventura amusement park to the project. After successfully transporting Keiko from Mexico City to Oregon, the rehabilitation team built a rehab pool, and eventually a sea pen when Keiko was returned to Iceland to assimilate to his native waters. When Keiko lived in the sea pen, the team re-taught him to eat live fish and other skills to live in the wild.

Keiko's story gives scientists, activists, philanthropists, and Hollywood producers, directors and actors inspiration to forge ahead with the efforts to free Lolita. The latest coup for the campaign to retire Lolita is the recent involvement of the Earth Island Institution: The Keiko Foundation.

Raul Julia-Levy, celebrity spokesman for Lolita's release, said, "Having the Earth Island Institution aligned with our efforts brings a one-two punch to our campaign. We now have the experience of Richard Donner in our quest to free Lolita."

Donner, also the executive producer of Free Willy, raised money and assembled a cast of thousands for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Keiko. Knowing the controversy surrounding the release of a whale held for entertainment purposes, Donner brings to the equation his compassion and inspiration.

Another high-powered individual to join the campaign is music legend Elton John. In an article published in the Times Colonists, Elton John stated in a letter found on his website, "I have been deeply moved by efforts to free Lolita and wish to add my name to the campaign to return her to home waters, where she can hopefully reunite with her family."

"She has spent most of her life performing daily in a small tank and I wish to add my voice to those others who are attempting to see her either freed or fully cared for in retirement in a sea-pen within the waters where she was captured almost 30 years ago," said Julia-Levy. "A powerful group has been meeting the past two weeks to strategize for the campaign. The Miami Seaquarium won't know what hit them."

Adding to the humanitarian efforts are recent recruits David Permut who produced the 1996 blockbuster Face/Off and Steve Longi who co-produced the recently released Charlie Bartlett. Permut and Longi join Oscar-winning producer Jonathan Sanger, best known for producing Vanilla Sky and Mission Impossible, and Anna and the King and The Martian Child's producer Ed Elbert in the battle to free Lolita.

"With Permut, Longi and Donnor on board, we maintain of unwavering confidence and hope in releasing Lolita from her exploitative existence at the Miami Seaquarium," said Julia-Levy.

Julia-Levy encourages private citizens concerned about anthropomorphic mammals like Lolita to contribute to the campaign for Lolita's release by donating to the Keiko Foundation.

Further information about the Earth Island Institute may be obtained from their website or by contacting:

David Phillips
Earth Island Institute
300 Broadway, Suite 28
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 788 3666 X 145

Actor and Philanthropist Raul Julia Jr Assembles His Cast to Release Lolita

Courtesy of The Free Willy Keiko Foundation/Earth Island Institute, an A-list of veterinarians and handlers deliver their expertise to the translocation of the captive whale Lolita.

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- Raul Julia-Levy, actor and philanthropist, announces exclusive alliance with the Free Willy Keiko Foundation / Earth Island Institute to reunite captive orca, Lolita, with her pod in Puget Sound.

Much has been made in the news in the last month about a coalition of recording artists, actors and producers teaming up in hopes of helping Miami Seaquarium's performing killer whale Lolita rejoin her family group in the Pacific Northwest. Actor Raul Julia-Levy, the official spokesperson for this coalition, announced today that he is continuing a campaign designed to gain public awareness and ultimately the release of one of the last remaining wild captive orcas, Lolita.

There's no other group out there with the kind of knowledge and resources that the Free Willy Keiko Foundation has that can give Lolita the best chance of retirement

This elite coalition includes national/global partners around the world, including Ed Elbert, Richard Donner, David Permut, Steve Longi, Johnny Depp, Cameron Crowe, Jonathan Sanger, Harrison Ford, Elton John, 50 Cent, Hayden Panettiere, Placido Domingo, Lindsay Lohan, Janet Jackson, Truth Hurts, Richard Grieco, Billy Zane and recently the international auto maker Saab. In the Saab commercial, it features Lolita in her tank, along with a chained dog, and a bird flying against glass window, with the theme, "Release Me", including a tagline, "The Power of Nature Just Wants to be Free."

In announcing this alliance, Julia-Levy states that http://www.keiko.com [The Free Willy Keiko Foundation has unique expertise in the capture and the care of orcas. They are the only non-government, non-profit organization in the world with experience in successfully translocating an adult killer whale over long distances. (Keiko, from Mexico City to Newport, OR, and then from Newport to Iceland.)

The Free Willy Keiko Foundation assembled an A-list team of veterinarians and handlers and an extraordinary amount of expertise. Although Keiko never found his family, the project is considered by many to be successful in fulfilling a promise made to millions of kids around the world -- to make Keiko free. Now they're confident if given a chance, they can help write that Hollywood ending for Lolita.

Unlike Keiko, Lolita's family exists in the waters of the Puget Sound, and she still vocalizes her family recognizable call, and through the past three decades, the Southern Resident Orca Community is now considered to be one of the most studied groups of orcas in the world. Bringing Lolita back home to her family (pod) could be a boon to the whale population in Puget Sound, as well as sending a loud and clear message to the world that animals on our planet do have a voice--it is our voice.

"There's no other group out there with the kind of knowledge and resources that the Free Willy Keiko Foundation has that can give Lolita the best chance of retirement," says Julia-Levy. "But the bottom line is, we don't own the whale," Julia-Levy is quick to note. "The Miami Seaquarium does."

However, the Seaquarium is concerned about the welfare of Lolita because she never had to find her own food, and has had constant human contact for nearly four decades; therefore, a move across the country could be too stressful. Some scientists have suggested the transport could even kill her.

Julia-Levy has a different opinion. He says, "Based on the reports we have received from leading scientists is that she's in incredible health, and that's solely because of the love and care that she's received at The Miami Seaquarium. That also makes her an exceptional candidate for safe transport and reintroduction to her natural habitat."

"Although we appreciate the support in-kind, from organizations and individuals who have come forward to yield expertise, ownership and credentials in this effort." Julia-Levy goes on to say, "It is through our exclusive alliance with the Free Willy Keiko Foundation that we can build the best bridge with the Seaquarium to work together to do the right thing for Lolita."

Inquiries about this campaign can be directed to the Earth Island Institute.

Media Contact:
David Phillips
davep @ earthisland.org
Earth Island Institute
300 Broadway, Suite 28
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 788 3666 X 145
www.earthisland.org