Keiko - orca
Keiko was a male orca who became famous after starring in the 1993 film Free Willy.
Keiko was captured near Iceland in 1979 and sold to the Icelandic aquarium in Hafnarfjörður. Shortly after, he was sold to Marineland in Ontario where he first started performing for the public and developed skin lesions indicative of poor health.
Keiko gained fame when he starred as Willy in the 1993 film Free Willy. The film’s success led to a campaign by school children and others to “Free Keiko”.
Rehabilitation
In 1995, Keiko was flown to Newport, Oregon, USA, where he was rehabilitated at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. In 1998, he was flown to Klettsvik Bay in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland, for a reintroduction to the wild.
Release
After years of preparation and training, Keiko was released into the wild in July 2002. Despite hopes that he would adapt to the wild and join a pod of wild orcas, Keiko spent most of his time in the wild seeking human contact and did not integrate with wild whale pods.
Death
Keiko died of pneumonia on December 12, 2003, in the Norwegian fjord where he had spent the last five years. His story continues to be remembered as a symbol of the movement against keeping orcas in captivity.
Legacy
Keiko’s story has had a lasting impact on how the world views captive animals. His life has led to a greater conversation about animal rights and the conditions of captive marine life.