On Friday December 12th, Keiko the orca died suddenly. Although Keiko had a clean bill of health just ten days earlier, he died from a sudden attack of acute pnemonia. Keiko was featured in the movie "Free Willy," which depicted a whale being returned to the wild. The resulting public pressure helped campaign for his freedom, the first whale released from captivity.

Last year Keiko disappeared during one of his "sea walks." Researchers and rehabilitators hoped he had joined a pod of killer whales, but a short time later Keiko turned up in a harbor in Norway actively seeking interaction with people.

Dr. Paul Spong has written an eloquent on the passing of Keiko and the success and significance of returning a whale to the wild. Read it on the Orca Lab website.

For more on Keiko and details on his passing go to the United States Humane Society website.

The Whale Museum, © 2003