Written by Katrine Ida Olsson, coordinator at Dyrenes Alliance Slagelse
Do you know those moments when the world briefly stands still? At first, I couldn't believe my eyes, then I was overwhelmed with joy when I saw the headline: Lolita the orca—a survivor and legend if you’ve followed the story of orcas in the entertainment industry—is finally being freed after 53 years. She’s going home to the ocean!
From orcas to all animals: Everyone has the right to freedom
My first street activism was for orcas. Their tragic stories—from being kidnapped from their mothers in the wild ocean to imprisonment in bleak, monotonous, and often lonely concrete tanks—were what first drove me to hand out flyers on the streets. Despite many people's tireless and generous efforts for orcas in captivity, there have been too few victories. So Lolita’s release fills me with incredible joy and hope for both her and the animal rights movement.
“A friend responded to one of my posts, saying that the plight of a few hundred whales is really no worse than the millions of pigs raised in Denmark. He meant to calm me down. Thankfully, it had the opposite effect.”
Before I knew Dyrenes Alliance about Dyrenes Alliance, the stories of orcas inspired me to print flyers and distribute them at Copenhagen Airport. My engagement with orcas brought videos from the Faroe Islands and drives hunting grinds onto my Facebook feed. Naturally, I was shocked and posted many outraged updates. A friend replied that the situation of a few hundred whales wasn’t worse than that of millions of pigs raised in Denmark. He meant to calm me down. Luckily, it had the opposite effect: it opened my eyes to animals I barely thought about, and soon I found Dyrenes Alliance, where for the first time in my life I met others who cared as deeply about animals’ right to freedom as I did.
Signs of progress in the animal rights movement
I’m now filled with bubbling joy for Lolita and for the fact that she helped spark my activism—and that progress is happening. Small victories, but recognizing these wins is crucial. It would be incredible for Lolita to experience the ocean again. Most likely, she can reunite with her family, since they still visit Puget Sound. I’ll let this hope fuel my energy for new activism.
Regarding Lolita’s release, there is a serious risk she may die before she’s ready to be freed and before the new sea pen is prepared. That process will take 18–24 months. She’s 57 years old (wild female orcas usually live 50–80 years; orcas in captivity typically live only into their 20s). It would be a strategic disaster for freeing other orcas if she dies during the process—but for Lolita’s sake, I think it’s the right choice. She deserves it, even if it’s only for one day back in the ocean.
Some will point to the many millions it will cost. That money could save far more animals with simpler needs or fund ad campaigns encouraging people not to eat animals. That is true. But it is a single millionaire funding most of Lolita’s release, so that money likely wouldn’t otherwise go to saving animals. Lolita’s fight is a classic example of how it’s easier to keep fighting and investing heavily when you’re focused on one individual you care about, instead of many faceless ones. So whatever—or whoever—it takes to get you into the movement, use it. Even though this fight frees only one animal, it creates widespread debate and opens many eyes to the abuse of other animals at the same time.
Lolita’s victory shows nothing is impossible as long as we don’t give up.
Maybe Lolita’s release won’t change the world, but it completely changes everything for Lolita. With that in mind, I raise my glass and toast Lolita’s victory—which is also a victory for animal rights and for all the activists who have fought for years to make this happen. Thanks to the street demonstrators, online activists, lawyers, professionals, negotiators, and donors who all fought for freedom over so many years. Lolita’s victory proves nothing is impossible when we don’t give up. Public opinion is turning—change is coming!
The views expressed are those of the author.