In a message dated 95-10-05 13:42:24 EDT, Michael wrote:

>I heard on NPR this morning that certain persons (including Mike
>Lowry)
>are trying to secure Lolita, an orca at SeaQuest, a commercial park
>in
>Florida. This whale has been captive since 1970, when it was trendy
>for
>parks to catch Puget Sound orcas. According to NPR, she's the last
>survivor of this bunch. Apparently many people want to buy her back
>and
>release into Puget Sound. Now, I sympathize with the idea of keeping
>orcas wild, but doesn't this seem like a bad idea?

Michael,

During the recent zoo and aquarium conference here in Seattle. We facilitated
a meeting between a number of marine mamal scientists and some of the folks
interested in Lolita who is the last surviving member of the group of whales
captured in Puget Sound in the 1970's. I was not at the meeting so I do not
know what transpired other than a dialogue began. My underststanding is that
some of the local Orca researchers would like to begin talking about whether
or not Lolita has any "memory of her original pod members(L-pod) some of whom
are still alive.

One form this might take is some type of similtaneous transmittal of
vocalizations. Whether this is advisable, whether it is good science iIdo
not know. But at least the dialogue has been opened.

Given the personalities and egos involved I have no idea how long it will
last. There are some personnal agendas which may undermine the more serious
efforts for short term PR benefits. I know some folks feel strongly that the
animal should be returned. As you state, I don't believe she is the best
candidate for release and it may not be in her best interest either.

So on the one hand I believe zoological and scientific institutions and
animal rights groups need to find common ground and pursure common goals. On
the other, its damn tiring work.

Mike Waller
WP Zoo