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Keiko c. 1977/1978 – 12 December 2003) was a male orca captured in the Atlantic Ocean near Iceland in 1979. He was best known for his portrayal of Willy in the 1993 film Free Willy. In 1996, Warner Bros. and the International Marine Mammal Project collaborated to return Keiko to the wild.
- Icelandic
- 12,300 lb (5,600 kg)
- Male
- Orca (Orcinus orca)
Keiko, the orca from the movie Free Willy, was born in the Atlantic Ocean and captured in Iceland. He was kept in a small tank in Mexico City for 15 years, where he performed for children and became famous. He was released in 1993 and now lives in a natural setting in Canada. Learn how he became a symbol of animal welfare and conservation.
Feb 10, 2024 · It was the closing scene of Free Willy, a film that captured the hearts of a generation, telling the story of an orphaned boy racing against time to free a killer whale from captivity before...
Aug 17, 2023 · Keiko, the orca from the movie Free Willy, was a worldwide star after the film's success, but his life after the release into the wild was a tale of tragedy. He died in 2003 from pneumonia, after seeking out human contact and living in a bay pen in Norway. Learn more about his story and legacy.
(Running Time: 74 min) TAGLINE: The millions of Keiko fans around the world finally learn the truth about what really happened when the “Free Willy” star became the first and only captive orca to be successfully released back into his home waters. SHORT SYNOPSIS:
People also ask
Is Keiko a robot whale in Free Willy?
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Jul 16, 1993 · A boy befriends a captive orca whale and tries to free him from a marine park. The movie features Michael Jackson's song Will You Be There and the true story of Keiko, the star orca who was released into the wild.
Jun 12, 2023 · Free Willy made people aware that whales don’t belong in tiny pools. They belong in the ocean – and the film incentivised children. They sent in their piggy bank money to free him.
