The following press statement, issued this morning, is about the extraordinary collaboration between The Dolphin Company, which owns the Miami Seaquarium, and the non-profit organization Friends of Lolita in their effort to return Lolita, the orca also known as Toki, from the Miami Seaquarium to an ocean habitat in her home waters in the Pacific Northwest. The Whale Sanctuary Project’s executive director Charles Vinick is co-founder, with environmentalist and philanthropist Pritam Singh, of Friends of Lolita.
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Miami Seaquarium, Philanthropist Jim Irsay and the Friends of Lolita Announce Historic Initiative; Join Forces to Return Beloved Orca, Lolita, from Miami Seaquarium to Her Home Waters
For the first time ever, a private company with marine mammals under human care and an animal welfare organization, create a legally binding agreement with one goal – bring the opportunity to return Lolita, the sole killer whale at Miami Seaquarium, to her home waters – with all of these efforts supported by a generous financial contribution from a leading philanthropist.
Miami, FL – March 30, 2023 – The Miami Seaquarium, which recently came under the management of The Dolphin Company, the most experienced company with marine mammals in the world, has entered into a formal and binding agreement with Friends of Lolita, a non-profit organization co-founded by environmentalist Pritam Singh, to bring to life the dream of returning Lolita to an ocean sanctuary. This extraordinary collaboration has the life-transforming possibility to change Lolita’s future thanks also to a generous contribution from philanthropist Jim Irsay, the owner & CEO of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
Eduardo Albor, CEO of The Dolphin Company; Pritam Singh, environmentalist, philanthropist and co-founder of Friends of Lolita; and Jim Irsay will work together to make the relocation a reality.
‘It has always been our commitment at The Dolphin Company that we place the highest priority on the well-being of animals, above all else,” said Mr. Albor, CEO of The Dolphin Company. “Finding a better future for Lolita is one of the reasons that motivated us to acquire the Miami Seaquarium. With the help of Jim Irsay and Pritam Singh, we are bringing that dream, the dream of returning Lolita to her home waters, closer than ever.”
“I am excited to see that, regardless of different positions, we can make this extraordinary agreement happen based on mutual respect and confidence between all parties,” added Mr. Albor. “Working with the same objective, many other organizations can achieve great things when both parties focus on common goals, rather than different views, and make feasible something that before was a hopeless dream by accepting each other as allies. We have the same goal and now the world will see, amazing things are possible when we listen and work together.”
“The story of Lolita the orca has been near and dear to my heart. I am proud—and enthusiastic—to play a role in finally returning Lolita to her native Pacific Northwest,” said Jim Irsay, Owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts.
“It is a sacred privilege to share in the mission of caring for and bringing home Lolita, our beloved one,” said Pritam Singh, Co-Founder of Friends of Lolita. “My thanks to all the team, particularly Eduardo Albor, Jim Irsay and Raynell Morris, for all their efforts and support.”
The impact of this first-ever, formal and binding agreement demonstrates that different organizations, that in the past might be working against each other, can successfully work together, proving that maintaining strong ethics, and respect for the animals under their care, means a better outcome for every animal.
“We certainly hope that animal welfare leaders around the world can find common ground as we have here in the case of Lolita,” added Mr. Albor.
We are working toward and hope the relocation will be possible in the next 18 to 24 months. At present, Lolita receives round-the-clock care by a team of dedicated, highly-skilled, medical, nutrition and behavior experts. Her most recent independent health and welfare assessment completed by Dr. Tom Reidarson, DVM DACZM, Dr. James McBain, DVM retired and Dr. Stephanie Norman, DVM, Ph-D indicated that her energy, appetite and engagement in daily activities is becoming reasonably stable.
“The leadership of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, since the transfer of ownership of Marine Seaquarium, has been instrumental in bringing our worlds together,” added Mr. Albor. “With the support of all parties, the continued health of Lolita and approvals from the appropriate authorities, we are all committed to giving this beautiful orca a new home and a peaceful future.”
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Press Contact:
The Dolphin Company, press@thedolphinco.com
Friends of Lolita, cvinick@mac.com
Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts, steve.campbell@colts.com
About Miami Seaquarium and The Dolphin Company:
For more than 28 years, The Dolphin Company has provided “the experience of a lifetime” to more than 16 million visitors in its 32 parks, dolphin habitats and marinas around the world. With presence in Mexico, the Caribbean, the United States, Argentina and Italy, The Dolphin Company offers exciting activities that provide unique, memorable experiences while raising awareness among its visitors about the importance of animal welfare and the preservation and care for the environment.
About Friends of Lolita:
Friends of Lolita, Inc. is a Florida non-profit corporation co-founded by philanthropist and environmentalist Pritam Singh and Charles Vinick with leading marine mammal scientists, Dr. Roger Payne, Dr. Diana Reiss, and Lummi elder, Raynell Morris. In an extraordinary collaboration with The Dolphin Company, Friends of Lolita is leading this wonderful effort to return Lolita, the orca also known as Toki, from the Miami Seaquarium back to an ocean habitat in her home waters in the Pacific Northwest. With renowned marine mammal veterinarians Dr. Jim McBain, Dr. Tom Reidarson and Dr. Stephanie Norman, and a team of experienced trainers, it is a sacred privilege for Friends of Lolita to share in the mission of providing the best care and quality of life for Lolita.
About Jim Irsay:
Indianapolis Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay this year embarks on his 52nd season with the organization and the NFL. His affiliation with the Colts dates back to 1972 when his father, Robert Irsay, acquired the team. Irsay took the helm of the franchise in 1995, becoming sole owner in 1997. Going into his 29th season as the leader of the Colts, Indianapolis has earned 10 division championships, two Super Bowl appearances and the team’s fourth world championship with a victory in Super Bowl XLI. Irsay also oversees the team’s extensive community and philanthropic efforts. Under Irsay’s leadership, the Colts have been committed to improving the lives of people in Indiana and beyond by helping build a healthy, inclusive and compassionate community through meaningful outreach, projects and partnerships.