Miami Seaquarium
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| Miami Seaquarium | |
 The killer whale show at the Seaquarium, starring Lolita.
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| Date opened | September 24, 1955[1] |
| Location | Virginia Key, Miami, Florida, USA |
| Land area | 38 acres (0.15 km²) |
| Memberships | Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums AMMPA |
The Miami Seaquarium is a 38 acre marine park located on the island of Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States and is located near downtown Miami. It is the longest operating oceanarium in the United States.[1] In addition to the marine mammals, the Miami Seaquarium also houses various fish, sharks, sea turtles, birds, reptiles and manatees. The park offers eight different marine animal shows and presentations daily and attracts over 600,000 visitors per year.[1]
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[edit] History
The park was founded by Fred D. Coppock and Captain W.B. Gray and was the second marine-life attraction in South Florida. Upon its grand opening in 1955, it was the largest marine-life attraction in the world.[citation needed] From 1963 through 1967, 88 television episodes and two movies starring Flipper were filmed at Miami Seaquarium.
[edit] Lolita (Tokitae) the Killer Whale
By far, Miami Seaquarium's most popular attraction is Lolita (also known as Tokitae), the park's lone female orca. Lolita was about 6 years old when she was captured from Puget Sound, on August 8, 1970 - making her what is believed to be the oldest orca in captivity.
Lolita is a large orca, measuring 22 feet and weighing in at approximately 8,000 pounds. Since her arrival Miami Seaquarium Lolita has continued to perform 1-2 shows daily. She is housed in the aquarium's "Whale and Dolphin Stadium" - the smallest and oldest orca tank in the United States. Even though the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations for the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of marine mammals (9 C.F.R. Section 3.104 - Space Requirements) state that the primary enclosure for a killer whale must have a minimum horizontal dimension of no less than 48 feet, Lolita's tank remains only 35 feet across.
Although Lolita has not seen another orca since 1980, she continues to vocalize in captivity with the unique calls used only by her family pod (known as L-25). In 2003, Lolita was the subject of the documentary 'Lolita: Slave to Entertainment'.[1] Thousands of people from around the world are currently campaigning for Lolita's rehabilitation and release back to her native Puget Sound waters. [2]
[edit] Gallery
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 The dolphin show at the Miami Seaquarium. |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "History of the Miami Seaquarium". http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/visitor_info/history.asp. Retrieved on 2007-11-30.
- ^ "Lolita's Life Today" Orca Network. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
[edit] External links
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Coordinates: 25°43′59″N 80°09′56″W / 25.733°N 80.165525°W
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