Whidbey Island to recall ’70s orca capture

This August marks the 41st anniversary of Lolita’s capture from her family, the Southern Resident orcas, in Penn Cove. To commemorate this anniversary, Orca Network is holding its annual event in Coupeville on the waters and shore of Penn Cove to remember all the orcas who died during the captures or in captivity, and to honor Lolita, or Tokitae, the sole survivor of those taken from the Southern Resident orcas, held in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium since 1970.

July 31, 2011 12:45 pm

This August marks the 41st anniversary of Lolita’s capture from her family, the Southern Resident orcas, in Penn Cove. To commemorate this anniversary, Orca Network is holding its annual event in Coupeville on the waters and shore of Penn Cove to remember all the orcas who died during the captures or in captivity, and to honor Lolita, or Tokitae, the sole survivor of those taken from the Southern Resident orcas, held in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium since 1970.

At noon on Sunday, Aug. 7, there will be a ceremonial cruise around the perimeter of the capture site.

There will be a wreath ceremony to remember the orcas killed in the capture, and those who have died in captivity.

Following the on-the-water events, there will be short presentations at the Coupeville Wharf from 2 to 4 p.m.

For more information, or to reserve a space on one of the sailing vessels, email Orca Network at info@orcanetwork.org or visit www.orcanetwork.org.