News: Remembering Keiko

One whale, one movie, one big impact on the world.

Keiko, the orca who died of pneumonia Dec. 12 in Taknes Bay, Norway, brought worldwide attention to the seeming inhumanity of keeping marine mammals in captivity through the 1993 movie “Free Willy.”

The whale and the movie, partially filmed in the San Juans, turned the world spotlight on our islands, boosting a tourism economy and whale research here.

Keiko and “Free Willy” also inspired millions of children to follow his journey to freedom and help other whales. It inspired a worldwide educational effort and formed the basis for several scientific studies.

David Phillips, president and founder of the Free Willy - Keiko Foundation, reported in a press release, “Keiko was a trailblazer, the first orca whale ever rescued from captivity. There’s still a lot of work to be done to see that captive whales are given a chance to be free. Keiko showed what is possible if these animals are just given the chance.”

And in death, Keiko will undoubtedly boost arguments about the negative impact of captivity on marine mammals. Dr. Lanny Cornell, Keiko’s lead veterinarian and a world renowned expert on orca care, reported in a press release, “The most likely cause of death is from acute pneumonia, though it must be noted that at age 27, Keiko was one of only two male orca whales ever to have survived past 25 years in captivity.”

Cornell said Keiko’s health had been monitored regularly. On Dec. 10, Keiko’s appetite, activity and blood tests were “excellent,” Cornell reported. The next day, however, Keiko showed signs of lethargy and lack of appetite, and his respiratory rate was irregular. The following day — Friday — “with little warning, Keiko beached himself and died in the early evening local time,” Cornell reported.

Keiko died in the company of veterinarians that had been caring for him.

Since news of Keiko’s death broke Friday night, islanders mourned the whale and talked of his legacy.

“Keiko and the Free Willy phenomenon certainly did a lot to raise awareness about whales and their role in our world,” said Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island.

“He was a good whale. I feel bad that he’s gone, but the whole process of trying to re-acquaint him with the natural environment was certainly worth the effort. I hope they try again someday.”

Ken Balcomb, director of the Center for Whale Research, said, “It’s just a tragedy but I’m glad his misery is over. He certainly ended his life in a better environment than he experienced penned up in Mexico.”

Movie sparked efforts to free Keiko

In 1993, “Free Willy” prompted a worldwide effort to free Keiko from an undersized pool in a Mexico amusement park and, ultimately, return him to the wild.

In 1996, Keiko was flown aboard a United Parcel Service plane to a new rehabilitation facility in Newport, Ore. There he was returned to health and trained in the skills necessary to be a wild whale.

In late 1998, Keiko was flown in a U.S. Air Force jet to a sea-pen in Iceland. In summer 2002, Keiko joined the company of wild orcas and swam nearly 1,000 miles to the Norwegian coast. He was cared for in a fjord where he was free to come and go. It’s estimated that millions of people went to the fjord to visit Keiko.

“His legacy is that the capture era is truly over forever,” said Bill Wright of San Juan Safaris and a member of the Whale Watch Operators Association.

“From a world perspective, it brought closure to the concept that animals such as Keiko can or should be confined in a man-made environment ... Hopefully, through our experience with Keiko, people finally get it.”

Nan Simpson was involved with The Whale Museum for six years, serving as president of the board of directors.

“Of course it’s very sad,” she said of Keiko’s death. “My hope is this will be a wake-up call for those helping Luna back to his family. (Orcas) remember their language even after years in captivity and they bond with their own kind.”

Luna is a Southern resident whale that got separated from its pod in Vancouver Island’s Nootka Sound. Efforts are under way to return the whale to its native San Juan waters.

Simpson said Keiko’s death was being felt Monday at Friday Harbor Elementary School. “Today at the elementary school, the children were all saying, ‘Did you hear Keiko died?’ Keiko’s impact will be felt for a very long time.”

Paul Irwin, president of the Humane Society of the United States, said, “(Keiko) came a long, long way and showed that returning captive whales to the wild is not simply a dream.”

— Jeff VanDerford contributed to this report.

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