Keiko's Journey Continues
by Mark Berman (International Marine Mammal Project)

Just over two years have passed since Keiko, the world's most famous whale, arrived at the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation (FWKF) rehabilitation center at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Keiko has responded extremely well to the cold clean water and intensive rehabilitation program. The 19-year-old orca now weighs more than 10,000 pounds, eats nearly 200 pounds of fish per day and has recovered from the papilloma skin condition that troubled him during his confinement at a Mexican theme park.

At the time of Keiko's arrival in Newport, Oregon, he was lethargic and could only hold his breath for three to four minutes. Keiko is now able to dive and hold his breath for 17 minutes - a remarkable improvement. Dr. Lanny Cornell, Keiko's lead veterinarian, calls Keiko "as healthy as any captive orca I've seen." An independent blue-ribbon panel of veterinarians selected by the US Department of Agriculture's Animal Health & Inspection Service, has also confirmed Keiko's good health.

Keiko routinely does extensive laps around his pool, spy hops, breaches, and dives to explore the rock-work and kelp on the aquarium bottom. Keiko's rehabilitation staff works with him day and night to reinforce the behaviors necessary for his potential return to the wild. Keiko has recently taken to eating live fish for the first time.

The FWKF is now working on the next step in Keiko's journey home - relocating the fully-recovered whale to an open sea pen in the North Atlantic Ocean. Discussions are underway with officials in Scotland, Ireland and Iceland (where Keiko was originally captured at the age of two). If all goes as planned, Keiko will be moved to the North Atlantic in the fall.

David Phillips, IMMP director and a FWKF board member, has joined a team of experts to work with foreign governments to secure an off-shore site for Keiko's temporary ocean home. "It is extremely exciting that Keiko is ready to go to a sea pen and that the foreign countries have responded so positively," Phillips said.

In a sea pen, Keiko will feel the tides and hear the sounds of his home waters. He might even rediscover members of his long-lost pod. FWKF scientists will judge Keiko's progress and his ability to interact with other orcas, as a step toward possible release.

Rehabilitating Keiko and preparing him for potential release will provide crucial information to assist the rehabilitation of other stranded and captive cetaceans. Because no captive orca has ever before been released to the wild, the FWKF must proceed carefully. Indeed, Keiko has become a symbol for all whales and other marine mammals who deserve our protection. The world continues to watch as Keiko acts out his starring role.