"Free Willy" killer whale star Keiko dies at 27
 

"Free Willy" killer whale star Keiko dies at 27
By Inger Sethov

OSLO (Reuters) - Keiko the killer whale, star of the "Free Willy" movies, has died at 27 of pneumonia in a Norwegian fjord, ending campaigners' hopes of returning the people-loving mammal to life in the wild.

The world's most famous orca, a magnet for tourists who spent most of his life in captivity, died about 15 months after turning up in Norwegian waters, officials said on Saturday.

Millions of dollars was spent on preparing the 10-metre animal for the wild after the 1993 movie "Free Willy" prompted a campaign for his release, but Keiko never rejoined killer whale company.

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That's a shame.:(

I know, right? I might have to go rent FW 1 and 2 today.

That's really sad.

how horrible, poor animal.

Chris

It seems that returning the whale to the wild was almost cruel.

I agree :(

It is very sad and I'm torn about whether it was a good thing or not to try to rehabilitate him back to the wild. I'm happy that he basicly died free and after living for a couple years back in the ocean. However the other part of me is sad because he was too use to people and didn't want to leave their company so maybe it would have been better to keep him in captivity - just in a larger tank then he had in Mexico.

Again, at least he had a taste of freedom again and was able to actually spend time with some killer whales in the wild

It seems like taking your pet dog and telling him "Hey bud, you're free!".

Sure, he might take off.. but in the end he'll regret it and start chasing cars and stuff..

This is where eco-fundamentalism has gone wrong.

sooooo


who's up for a fish fry? I'll bring the tabasco.

someone invite the Cajuns, they do fish up right.

Kitso
KS 361

you are soooooooo wrong for this! lol

they have been trying to release that whale for 10 years. he didn't want to leave. its too bad he died though.