About
Keiko
In
November 1979, he
was captured off Medallandsbugt, Southesast coast
of Iceland. On the boat, "Gudrun II, he
was
named "Siggi Bent Fin". He was immediately moved to
Saedyrasafnid Aquarium and was renamed
Kago which means "Little Boy" in Icelandic.
He was sold with one other female, Kiska, and moved to Marineland Ontario in Canada. Because of his young age and submissive character, he was bullied by Knootka* (and others) and he was probably a poor performer so he was most likely kept in the back pool "the warehouse".
In 1985, Reino Aventura, a Mexican aquarium bought Keiko for $350,000 and on February 16, 1985, Keiko arrived into Mexico City. His previous name "Kago" was no longer a good idea as it meant "to take a S***"2 in spanish so he was renamed to the more well known name of Keiko.
In 1992, Warner Bros started filming a movie called "Free Willy" with Keiko being the star of the show. When the movie was released, Keiko became a hit immediately around the world and inspired many children and adults alike.
Soon after the movie was released, the media revealed his unacceptable living conditions as his pool was too small and the water temperature was too high for an animal who normally lives in the cold waters of Iceland. Keiko also suffered from a skin disease, which is known as the papilloma virus.
In 1994, the "Free Willy Foundation" was founded with the goal to find a new home for the 2.9 ton animal. The foundation collected millions of money thanks to many donors, including Warner Bros.
After many months, no suitable tank was found and a plan was to build a tank for Keiko. The location was quickly found, the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Keiko left Mexico on January 7, 1996 and arrived at his new home in Oregon. He adapted well to the environment and enjoyed the much colder water. His skin disease disappeared within months and he gained over 2000 lbs. His health has increased and he even caught his first live fish in August 1997. After various tests it was determined that he is able to be released and he was moved again on September 9, 1998 back to his native waters.
In Iceland he lived in a sea pen close to Klettviks Bay, which was close to a travelling route of Icelandic orcas. Keiko became less dependent on his keepers and discovered his natural environment. In Spring 2000 he started his first ocean walks and a tracking device helped to trace back his route. During these walks, Keiko often interacted with wild orcas.
In the summer of 2002, Keiko left the tracking boat and joined a group of wild orcas. For about three weeks he lived on his own or with other killer whales, that's not known for sure. After that period of time, he swam the longest journey in his life. He travelled over 1000 miles to the coast of Norway. Here, Keiko lived in a Norwegian fjord and was the star attraction and many people from all over the world came to see him.
The government and the staff tried to keep all those people away from him and in February 2003 Keiko was "moved" to Taknes Bay, where he was fed and worked with by his staff.
However in December 2003, Keiko became lethargic and stopped eating. On December 12, he was still sick and his respiratory rate was irregular. One night, he beached himself and passed away.
He was sold with one other female, Kiska, and moved to Marineland Ontario in Canada. Because of his young age and submissive character, he was bullied by Knootka* (and others) and he was probably a poor performer so he was most likely kept in the back pool "the warehouse".
In 1985, Reino Aventura, a Mexican aquarium bought Keiko for $350,000 and on February 16, 1985, Keiko arrived into Mexico City. His previous name "Kago" was no longer a good idea as it meant "to take a S***"2 in spanish so he was renamed to the more well known name of Keiko.
In 1992, Warner Bros started filming a movie called "Free Willy" with Keiko being the star of the show. When the movie was released, Keiko became a hit immediately around the world and inspired many children and adults alike.
Soon after the movie was released, the media revealed his unacceptable living conditions as his pool was too small and the water temperature was too high for an animal who normally lives in the cold waters of Iceland. Keiko also suffered from a skin disease, which is known as the papilloma virus.
In 1994, the "Free Willy Foundation" was founded with the goal to find a new home for the 2.9 ton animal. The foundation collected millions of money thanks to many donors, including Warner Bros.
After many months, no suitable tank was found and a plan was to build a tank for Keiko. The location was quickly found, the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Keiko left Mexico on January 7, 1996 and arrived at his new home in Oregon. He adapted well to the environment and enjoyed the much colder water. His skin disease disappeared within months and he gained over 2000 lbs. His health has increased and he even caught his first live fish in August 1997. After various tests it was determined that he is able to be released and he was moved again on September 9, 1998 back to his native waters.
In Iceland he lived in a sea pen close to Klettviks Bay, which was close to a travelling route of Icelandic orcas. Keiko became less dependent on his keepers and discovered his natural environment. In Spring 2000 he started his first ocean walks and a tracking device helped to trace back his route. During these walks, Keiko often interacted with wild orcas.
In the summer of 2002, Keiko left the tracking boat and joined a group of wild orcas. For about three weeks he lived on his own or with other killer whales, that's not known for sure. After that period of time, he swam the longest journey in his life. He travelled over 1000 miles to the coast of Norway. Here, Keiko lived in a Norwegian fjord and was the star attraction and many people from all over the world came to see him.
The government and the staff tried to keep all those people away from him and in February 2003 Keiko was "moved" to Taknes Bay, where he was fed and worked with by his staff.
However in December 2003, Keiko became lethargic and stopped eating. On December 12, he was still sick and his respiratory rate was irregular. One night, he beached himself and passed away.
Name Meaning & Blood
Type:- Keiko means "Lucky one"
in Japanese
- Pronunciation of Keiko: KAY-coh
- Blood Type: 100% Icelandic
- Current Status: deceased (as of December 12, 2003)
- Place of Death: Taknes Bay, Norway
- Cause of Death: Acute Pneumonia
- Pronunciation of Keiko: KAY-coh
- Blood Type: 100% Icelandic
- Current Status: deceased (as of December 12, 2003)
- Place of Death: Taknes Bay, Norway
- Cause of Death: Acute Pneumonia
Family:Keiko's
family is unknown due to the lack of information about Icelandic Orcas
Transfers: | Saedyrasafnid Aquarium | November ??, 1979 - November 30, 1979 |
| Marineland Ontario | November 30, 1979 - February 16, 1985 |
| Reino Aventura | February 16, 1985 - January 6, 1996 |
| Oregon Coast Aquarium | January 6, 1996 - September 7, 1997 |
| Klettsvik Bay, Iceland | September 7, 1998 - March 3, 2000 |
| Klettsvik Bay & Ocean walks, Iceland | March 3, 2000 - June 2002 |
| Atlantic Ocean | June 2002 - September 1, 2002 |
| Korsnes Fjord, Norway | September 1, 2002 - February 17, 2003 |
| Taknes Bay, Norway | February 17, 2003 - December 12, 2003 |
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