Lolita Will Finally Be Freed - Now Here Are Other Famous Captive Animals Who Deserve Their Long-Awaited Freedom Next

THINK

Apr 13

From a gorilla kept in a shopping mall in Thailand, to the world’s loneliest elephant at a New York zoo, these animals’ fight for freedom have sparked worldwide campaigns.

*Lolita performing at Miami Seaquarium. Wikicommons photo: Piotr Domaradzki, Miami, FL, 1998*

Awareness around the ethics of animals in captivity has increased in recent years, with the likes of orca shows, roadside zoos, and animal circuses being reconsidered by the general public. Part of this wave of change has been led by worldwide campaigns that have highlighted the particularly striking stories of some of the world’s loneliest or unhappiest captive animals.

One such animal who’s fight for freedom drew millions of people in support, is Lolita the killer whale held in captivity at Miami Seaquarium. Also known as Tokitae, Lolita has spent the last fifty years confined to a shallow, 80-by-35-foot concrete tank, where she has been forced to perform several times a day.

Lolita’s millions of supporters received incredible news this month, with the announcement that the killer whale will be freed from captivity and released back into her natural ocean habitat. The unprecedented rescue mission was made possible by funding from the owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts-owner Jim Irsay, in a move that could cost up to $20 million.

“Lolita's impending release from captivity is a historic moment for animal rights, and it serves as a testament to the power of individuals who recognize the importance of protecting and respecting all living beings,” said Elizabeth Novogratz, Species Unite Founder and Executive Director. “People like Jim Irsay, who are willing to invest their time, money, and resources to support animal protection causes, make progress like this possible. It is through their unwavering dedication and commitment to animals that we can create a better world for all individuals.”

As efforts continue to prepare Lolita for her long-awaited release, here’s four more animals whose plights have inspired campaigns calling for their freedom:

Bua Noi the gorilla, Thailand

Bua Noi in 2023. Credit: Amy Jones/Moving Animals/WFFT

Known as the ‘world’s loneliest gorilla’, Bua Noi has lived for over thirty years on the top floor of a shopping mall in the centre of Bangkok as part of the rooftop Pata Zoo. Bua Noi’s tragic story - alone in a barren concrete enclosure where she can exhibit few, if any, natural behaviours - has been in the media spotlight for over a decade.

High-profile attempts to fight for Bua Noi’s freedom have included a PETA campaign led by X-Files star Gillian Anderson, a tour of the zoo by famed primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, and Cher’s ongoing public plea for her to pay for the rescue and rehoming of the gorilla.

There is hope that the ageing gorilla may finally experience freedom if the government steps in to help. Sign Free The Wild’s petition here.

Happy the elephant, USA

Happy currently lives by herself in a small enclosure at the Bronx Zoo, where she has been kept since 1977. She arrived there a few years after she and a number of other elephants were taken from the wild in Thailand.

“She has a lonely, terrible life for an elephant”, explains Steven Wise, founder of the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), which fights for increased legal rights for animals, and has fought for Happy’s freedom for several years.

The NhRP’s work for Happy includes last year’s unprecedented legal case where New York’s highest court considered whether personhood could be extended to Happy - a legal status which would secure her right to bodily autonomy and grant her release to a sanctuary. While the court ultimately ruled that Happy isn’t a ‘person’ - it sparked a huge discussion and some judges did vote in support, with a 5-2 decision. Comments from judge Jenny Rivera stated that “[Happy’s] captivity is inherently unjust and inhumane. It is an affront to a civilized society, and every day she remains a captive - a spectacle for humans - we, too, are diminished”.

For the latest on Happy’s story, visit NhRP’s client page for Happy here.

Lulu the sea turtle, United Kingdom

Lulu the turtle. Credit: Amy Jones/Close Sea Life

Lulu is the world’s oldest captive green sea turtle, who lives in a single tank at Sea Life Brighton.

The 82-year-old turtle was reportedly taken from the wild as a tiny hatchling back in the 1940s by a TV advertising agency to star in an advertisement for soap. She has spent her entire life - over eight decades - in captivity ever since, living through World War II and Queen Elizabeth’s II’s entire reign.

Animal advocacy group Close Sea Life are calling for Lulu’s release to an appropriate sanctuary, and asking Sea Life to commit to taking no more turtles into captivity in Lulu’s name.

The group says Lulu can be seen swimming the same lap repeatedly, or sitting motionless in a dark corner of the tank. In the wild, turtles like Lulu swim hundreds and even thousands of miles and enjoy basking in the sun.

Sign the petition calling for Lulu’s freedom here.

Noor Jehan the African elephant, Pakistan

Noor Jehan at Karachi Zoo. Credit: FOUR PAWS

One of four captive African elephants in Pakistan, Noor Jehan, along with the three other elephants, were all captured in the wild and brought to Pakistan together back in 2009.

Living in Karachi Zoo, animal welfare experts have long been concerned about the elephant’s welfare, particularly poorly Noor Jehan who is said to have been in serious physical distress. A vet from animal welfare group FOUR PAWS recently visited the ailing elephant and reported that she is in “serious pain and suffering”.

Noor Jehan with a vet from FOUR PAWS. Credit: FOUR PAWS

But there is incredible news just this month - local zoo officials and authorities have finally committed to relocate Noor Jehan for a chance at a better life in a more species-appropriate habitat. The elephant’s relocation will only be possible once Noor Jehan is healthy enough to be moved, and so leading animal welfare groups including FOUR PAWS are assisting with her medical treatment and recovery.

Sadly within a few weeks of this announcement and while awaiting release from the zoo, Noor Jehan became critically ill after falling in the pond in her small enclosure on 13th April.

Noor Jehan is now in a critical condition, but her freedom is so close. Species Unite will keep updated with her journey and hope to report on her recovery and eventual release in the coming weeks.

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