Update: Captive Southern Resident Orca 'Lolita'

An update from the Orca Network about the campaign for captive Southern resident orca Lolita's freedom: "The headline sounds like it's over and Lolita has no chance of coming home now, but this case against the USDA is part of a larger strategy. It would have helped to have won it of course, but the court in effect admitted that the operation of the whale tank at the Seaquarium violates several provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, but ruled that the USDA has discretion to ignore that fact. Now comes the next case, which is a suit against the Seaquarium itself, for violations of the Endangered Species Act. The 60-day notice of intent to sue was filed May 11, the day she became listed under the ESA, so we can expect that case to begin about July 10, with the tacit admission by the court that the tank violates provisions of the USDA intended to prevent harming her, which is expressly prohibited under the ESA. There may be other developments too. It's not over."

Read more: http://uk.whales.org/news/2015/06/lolita-to-remain-in-captivity-after-court-ruling