WATER QUALITY
Until Lolita is Home, wrote a letter on behalf of our community asking for clarification and an official statement regarding concerns about the water quality and environmental health of the Whale Bowl at the Miami Seaquarium.
Part of the letter included the following:
We are writing to you in the hope of transparency and clarification regarding the water quality and environmental health of the Whale Bowl at the Miami Seaquarium.
We understand that correctly portraying water and conditions within a tank from above depends on several factors, such as the angle of the shot, sunlight, distance, cloud cover, reflection, and camera specifications, and neither will the footage show the actual water parameters.
We are also aware that under the USDA license (License No: 58-C-1252), the Miami Seaquarium (Customer No: 6011009) is prohibited from showing any images of Toki or the Pacific white-sided dolphin, Li’i.
However, as there is worldwide affection for Toki and Li’i, it is causing a lot of mistrust and negativity, including conversations from ex-trainers that the new chillers are not being utilised due to their expense.
On December 13, 2022, at the “Toki: Present & Future” conference, a question was asked to “Friends of Toki” if they could provide water quality analysis results for a matter of credibility and to help quell public concerns. Mr Pritam Singh stated “We will be happy to provide the actual data. Yeah, no problem.” To this date, no water analysis data has been publicly published.
We would be grateful if you could reply with a statement of your findings, water testing and water quality in their tank which will help to give the concerned public more trust in the promised greater transparency, accountability and information regarding the Miami Seaquarium.
On May 25, we received the following general reply:
Thank you for your email to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, dated May 1, 2023. Please see below the response from Danay Voiles, Park Director and General Manager of the Miami Seaquarium.
“Miami Seaquarium and Friends of Toki are working daily to provide the best water conditions for Toki/Lolita. All equipment undergoes daily checks to ensure it is working properly. New equipment, including chillers, have been installed and are a key part to improved water quality. Her pool is cleaned 4 times a week also. We are working with water quality experts to ensure all guidelines are met. Overall her water quality has drastically improved in the last 6 months with new equipment and team collaboration.”
In the meantime, reportedly:
- The Director of Water Quality & Aquatic Life, Pete Santiago, was let go by The Dolphin Company.
- FWC removed 7 sea turtles.
THE WHALE BOWL
Until Lolita is Home documented construction of the shorings and were concerned about the build quality and also whether the work would affect Toki & Li’i. On February, 28th we requested advice to settle concerns but received no reply. Observations were forwarded to relevant parties.
On May 5th, an in-depth article was published revealing the Whale Bowl is in terrible disrepair, now only 10 persons max. are allowed in at any one time. Images from the unsafe structures report went viral, Louis Aguirre of Local 10 News investigated and was invited by The Dolphin Company to witness the conditions at the Whale Stadium.
Louis stated, “We were the first news team inside The Whale Stadium since Toki was retired from performing in March of 2022. Improvements have been made to Toki’s water quality but the stadium is in gross disrepair and can’t be fixed with her still there”
Reporter, Brian Entin replied, “It is amazing that you got in there to see her after for so long they wouldn’t let any of us reporters in.”
King 5 reporter, PJ Randhawa said, “We did get right up to the stadium though, and we could hear her. That was a really special moment for us having covered this for so long, and we were able to fly a drone over her aquarium, and we see her kind of just listlessly rolling around on her back she doesn’t really have anywhere to go so it’s very sad to see her in that state.”
SEEING TOKI
Louis tweeted: “She legit took my breath away. I have not seen her in 5 years. She looks so strong. What a powerful spirit she has. Truly remarkable how she keeps defying all odds and has survived so long. The second oldest orca in captivity. She is truly awesome.
…She swam and followed us along the perimeter of the pool, often watching us as we moved around the habitat. Almost as if she knew we were there to tell her story.“
MIXED MESSAGES
CEO of The Dolphin Company, Eduardo Albor’s interview was confusing and inconclusive: Rebuild, bulldoze, SeaWorld?
He said that given the state of the habitat, there is a plan B, one that could involve a temporary host. SeaWorld in Orlando.
SeaWorld responded to Local 10′s request for comment.
“We have not had any conversations with the current owners of Miami Seaquarium about any potential involvement in Toki’s situation. We — like the rest of the professional zoological community — continue to watch this situation closely and hope that what’s in the best interests of her health and welfare remains the most important consideration.”
There is a third option, build Toki a brand new habitat, even if it’s only temporary.
“Whatever is the fastest and whatever is the best for her. If that is going to be, build a pool and let her have her period of rehab, I think that’s great. I really do! She just needs to get out,” said Dr. Jenna Wallace, a veterinarian who used to work at the Miami Seaquarium in 2021.
Louis replied to a comment on Instagram:
“…so just want to chime in here for a sec. When the new owners bought the Miami Seaquarium they did so knowing that TOKITAE was carved out of their exhibitor’s license with the USDA. Meaning they are no longer allowed to show her, display her, or use her. Image on their social media, marketing or advertising. She’s become a very expensive “pet”. The new owner would like to develop the habitat where she’s in now but cannot with her still in it. So you tell me if the new owner wants to really let her go.”
RIGHT NOW THE GOAL IS A SEA PEN
On March 30th, The Dolphin Company and their partner, the nonprofit “Friends of Toki” made an official announcement that they were going to work together to move Toki to a seaside sanctuary in a natural sea pen in the Salish Sea in the Pacific Northwest near waters where she was captured as a four-year-old calf in 1970.
Albor said preliminary conversations have already begun. But the sea pen plan will take months, if not years, to happen if it’s approved. Hurricane season starts June first. Albor and “Friends of Toki,” say there is a plan in place to begin to secure the Whale Stadium as best they can.
IS PLAN B TO STICK TO PLAN A?
“Right now the regulatory agencies hold all the cards to green-light the sea pen and so far there is no other concrete plan on the table.”
The growing concern amongst the community is, what if the green light turns red? What if the plan to secure the Whale Stadium as “best they can” is not enough?
We know Toki and Li’i have to move, we hope that the regulatory agencies give the green light the concern is, is there a Plan B? Is Plan B to stick to Plan A?
What will happen if they say no? Where will they go? How long can they safely stay in a crumbling bowl?
Can the stadium withstand a hurricane?
The shorings are not designed for winds higher than those in a tropical depression.
Would an interim tank like Keiko’s be beneficial to her or is it ‘just another tank?”
These are the questions from our community and disussions we’d like to hear.
Toki’s will to survive is inspirational. She is a survivor, and she wants to live. Please let her do just that. Let her live and thrive! Give life back to her, as it’s the very least she deserves. Allow her to become who she truly is.
The same stands for Li’i, and Loke and Elelo, held in a tiny pool for years, again, out of view of the public gaze.
For them all, we await the day when profiting from the exploitation of captive cetaceans for entertainment finally comes to an end.
Read:
Credits: Header: Lee – Weekend of 20-21 May 2023 : Meme graphics by Jo Phillips : Photos by Louis Aguirre : Post includes extracts from Local 10’s news article.
