Orca capture commemorated in webinar

Orca Network is hosting a webinar to commemorate the Penn Cove orca captures’ 51st anniversary.

Orca Network is hosting a webinar to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the Penn Cove orca captures and honor the whale with many names.

The online event from 2-4 p.m. on Aug. 8 will explore the cultural lives of the Southern Resident orcas and how, after all these years, Tokitae — also known as Lolita Sk’aliChehl-tenaut — is still family. Preregistration is required at orcanetwork.org.

The event will include presentations from Howard Garrett, Ken Balcomb, Ralph Munro, Rosie Cayou James and Alexandra Morton, as well as music and videos.

Over 100 Southern Resident orcas were herded into Penn Cove in Coupeville in August 1970. Seven of the young whales were netted and delivered to marine parks around the world. Nearly 40 orcas were captured and 13 were killed during the roundup. All but one had died by 1987. Originally named Tokitae, she is now call her Lolita and she has been held captive at the Miami Seaquarium since 1970.

The webinar is followed at 4 p.m. by a virtual event from the Lummi Nation. Go to https://fb.me/e/3ZzxWLOEF for more information.