Keiko the Killer Whale died

**Desert Arabian** · 12-12-2003, 10:50 PM

A member of Rats Rule (Rat Fan Club) posted this on the rat board, I thought I would post it here.

OSLO, Norway - Keiko, the killer whale, made famous by the the "Free Willy" movies, has died, his caretakers said early Saturday.

The whale, who was 27, died Friday afternoon after the sudden onset of pneumonia in the Taknes fjord in Norway.

His handler, Dane Richards, said the disease struck the whale fairly quickly. "He exhibited some signs of lethargy and lack of appetite," Richards told The Associated Press.

Richards said veterinarians had monitored Keiko's progress, but the whale died quickly.

"We checked his respiration rate and it was a little irregular ... he wasn't doing too well," Richards said. "Early in the evening, he passed away."

**Twisterdog** · 12-12-2003, 10:53 PM

Oh, how sad.

At least he had some time living semi-free.

**popcornbird** · 12-12-2003, 11:57 PM

Yeah I just heard that on the radio.

RIP Keiko.

**trayi52** · 12-13-2003, 01:43 AM

Keiko was Free Willy? That is so sad.

**andrea_NMAggie** · 12-13-2003, 01:53 AM

That's just too sad

**Logan** · 12-13-2003, 05:56 AM

12-13-2003, 06:50 AM

Poor Keiko...! I'm so sorry he never was able to be "free" again...

**Amber** · 12-13-2003, 11:01 AM

**GoldenRetrLuver** · 12-13-2003, 11:07 AM

So Sad.

**Barbara** · 12-13-2003, 11:48 AM

I had seen Keiko in the aquarium of Newport OR about 8 years ago and followed the story of his life or was it a she? I should know.

I am sorry for her but anyway she could leave that place in Mexico that was far too warm and small for her, learned how to survive outside in Oregon and went back to the Northern Atlantic -she came from Iceland originally.

So I have no idea whether at Rainbow Bridge there is a place for whales but I hope she is happy there and maybe met others of her pod. (In reality they would have never accepoted her back):

**KYS** · 12-13-2003, 12:22 PM

Very sad, at least she is at peace now.

**Desert Arabian** · 12-13-2003, 12:35 PM

I would like to know exactly what they do with a deceaced whale body!?!? How in the world could you "dispose" of a 6 ton whale!?!

Poor Keiko. Have fun at the Rainbow Sea!

**gini** · 12-13-2003, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
I would like to know exactly what they do with a deceaced whale body!?!? How in the world could you "dispose" of a 6 ton whale!?!

Poor Keiko. Have fun at the Rainbow Sea!

I read the news on the CNN site and it made me so sad.

I also read that they are considering burying her and are working out the details. The thought is that research could be done on her skeleton and it would be preserved.

**Paul** · 12-13-2003, 02:00 PM

   Poor Keiko.

   Keiko was a male.

   Aftenposten has a sad story regarding a possible fate of Keiko's remains. They also have a related links section with their older Keiko stories.

      Paul