County negotiates added lease protections for Miami Seaquarium animals

A team of independent veterinarians has been invited to examine Lolita the Killer Whale "as soon as possible" while Miami-Dade County officials also negotiate "a lease amendment" with the Miami Seaquarium "to incorporate additional animal welfare and infrastructure parameters."

The disclosures were in an April 19 email from Perry I. Perez, chief of contracts and procurement for the county's Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department to the PETA Foundation.

Last week, PETA called for more transparency from the county and the Seaquarium regarding the status of the famed orca, known as Tokitae, that has become a global cause célébre among activists clamoring for her release from the park.

More: Animal rights group wants transparency for captive orca at Miami marine park

More: South Florida activists pray for orca Lolita's release, but back home it's up for debate

More: Dark waters, dark secret: Untold story of failed bid to free South Florida orca Lolita

The email does not cite a date for the independent exam. But the wording suggests the veterinarians have been agreed to and invited.

PETA Foundation general counsel Jared Goodman said he hopes the county is able to procure an "animal-free overhaul" of the decades-old marine park.

"Miami-Dade County officials are right to strengthen the animal protection provisions in the Miami Seaquarium’s lease, and the Dolphin Company is right to work with Friends of Lolita, a coalition that includes the Whale Sanctuary Project, to arrange an independent expert evaluation of the long-suffering orca, something PETA pushed for — but the real solution lies in an animal-free overhaul," Goodman said in a statement.

Goodman said PETA wants the Seaquarium to discontinue what it said are its "exploitative swim-with-dolphins programs, release the marine mammals to seaside sanctuaries, and pivot to offering entertainment that doesn’t rely on tormented animals in tiny tanks."

Lolita, known as Tokitae, no longer performing

Eduardo Albor, CEO of the Seaquarium's new management company, The Dolphin Co., has not responded to requests for an interview to discuss plans for the Seaquarium as well as the company's other marine parks in Florida — Gulf World in Panama City, Marineland near St. Augustine and a dolphin attraction near marathon in the Florida Keys.

More: Killer whale Lolita will not perform again. But will she be moved to sanctuary?

More: Orca family of Miami Seaquarium’s Lolita on path to extinction as feds mull whale watch ban

Perry's email did not include details, but the email does indicate county officials are taking a more hands-on approach to animal welfare issues at the Seaquarium.

In late March, the county announced an agreement by the Seaquarium, with the assistance of a group called Friends of Lolita, to allow third-party veterinarians to examine Lolita. The orca has been at the aquarium park on Key Biscayne for almost 52 years. Late last year, PETA unearthed reports about the orca's treatment and then early this year revealed she was ill.

The Dolphin Co.'s new license to operate the park carved out Lolita from regulation by the federal Department of Agriculture. The Dolphin Co. has retired Lolita from performing at the park.

In his email, Perry did not say when the veterinarians would get to perform a medical assessment. But he said the Friends of Lolita group "have invited the veterinarians mutually identified by both their organization and The Dolphin Company" to see the orca and perform "a health assessment as soon as possible, and will pay for all expenses associated with this health assessment."

The email did not provide details on the added animal welfare requirements in the additional lease agreement now being discussed, other than referring to concerns expressed by county officials last fall in the wake of PETA's disclosures.

"Once again, we understand and appreciate your concerns regarding the well-being of Tokitae, and we will continue to work closely with all parties concerned to help ensure Tokitae receives the care and attention she needs and deserves," Perry concluded in the email.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Veterinarians to examine orca Tokitae, county reviews Seaquarium lease