Can Miami Beach Mayor Ride A Killer Whale Named Lolita To Governor’s Mansion?
Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine Image by Getty Images
By Nathan Guttman October 13, 2017
Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine isn’t shy about his gubernatorial ambitions. Nor has he made a secret of his passion for animal rights, specifically those of the Orca whale Lolita from the city’s Seaquarium.
But is Levine using his call to free Lolita to leverage a quick political boost?
Politico reported that Levine intends to present a resolution to the city council demanding the immediate release of Lolita. He explained the timing of the decision as related to recent hurricane Irma and to the danger facing the whale when South Florida endures a catastrophic storm.
Owners of the water park that is home to the whale are accusing Levine of playing politics at Lolita’s expense and say he is “not an expert” on what’s best for the giant mammal.
“People are going to say what they say, but this is the right thing to do,” Levine responded.
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
