More than fifty years ago, whale hunters in Washington state rounded up more than 80 orcas using boats, explosives, nets, and sticks. They separated six baby whales from their parents that day and sold them to marine parks. Only one orca captured and sold that day is still living. That orca is Toki.
Since 1970, Toki has lived in a pool at the Miami Seaquarium — the smallest orca enclosure on the continent — where she has performed for crowds until her retirement earlier this year.
Now there's a chance Toki could finally go home: join us and other activists calling on the Miami Seaquarium to release Toki back to the Pacific Northwest where she was born and where her mother, now in her 90s, still leads a pod of southern resident orcas.
More information
The Miami Seaquarium is ending shows with Lolita, its 56-year-old orca
NPR. 4 March 2022.
NPR. 4 March 2022.
After half a century in captivity, Tokitae the performing orca could finally go home
The Guardian. 13 August 2022.
The Guardian. 13 August 2022.