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 guttman@forward.com or on Twitter @nathanguttman

Nathan Guttman, staff writer, was the Forward’s Washington bureau chief. He joined the staff in 2006 after serving for five years as Washington correspondent for the Israeli dailies Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post. In Israel, he was the features editor for Ha’aretz and chief editor of Channel 1 TV evening news. He was born in Canada and grew up in Israel. He is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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