Freeing Willy | Retro Report | The New York Times

In the wake of the 1993 hit movie "Free Willy," activists and fans campaigned to release the movie's star -- a captive killer whale named Keiko -- and launched a story Hollywood couldn't invent.


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Freeing Willy | Retro Report | The New York Times

[hannaheliza]

Moral of the story: *Leave the orcas alone!!!*

[firenationfiles]

Killer whales shouldn’t be captured for entertainment in the first place 😢

[hosamal-shohtey]

“ he was dependent on humans”

OF COURSE 22 years depending on humans

LEAVE THEM IN THE WILD

Just imagine some one taking you from your home putting you in a room to preform for people for 22 years when you return to your home do people expect you to do what you did 22 years ago no

[sarinamiles]

Doctor: he will only live 3 more months in captivity
People: free him
Marine park: *frees him*
Whale: lives 5 years
Marine park and media: see this is why we can’t free them they love us too much and it costs lots of money so we are just not gonna free whales anymore because it’s CONVENIENT FOR US. Wtf

[fkoenigg]

That is so cruel when they try to ignore Keiko just to let him in the wild. It probably hurts and confuse. No wonder he went to Norway because he thought people from Iceland doesn't like him anymore. In Norway, keiko was obviously in need of affection of human.

[TecraX]

5:10 - "He's about as releasable to the open ocean as I am!"

[darthstarkiller]

"Free Willy" will always remain a large piece of my childhood. I wish I knew Keiko. :'-(

[jacovanschaik]

Its just heartbreaking to see how his dorsal fin hangs down😥😥

[christophertchibozo]

That scene of her trying to eat the fish is so powerful

[kendrajohnson]

He lived 5yrs in the open water...I say it was a success.

[CuteMeSizzle]

Wait wait wait, I've always loved that film and never knew he died! That makes me cry

[dyylns]

Can we take a moment to realize how much people used to love animals and how it has decreased RAPIDLY!

[cryoux]

The most annoying part of this is that Orcas are DOLPHINS. NOT WHALES. Yes, they are called Killer Whales, but make no mistake. These mammals are DOLPHINS.

[shellsnbees]

Growing up in Newport Oregon Keiko is a very big part of my childhood only to realize how dark it was. Honestly it’s really hard to look back on the memories it reminds me of a circus. I wish things were better for him but Newport loved him and I am fortunate to have been able to see him but I wish I didn’t have to.

[laurenbartoochkavevo]

Whenever I see the dorsal find it makes me want to cry

[tapielacafe]

all animals should live on their natural environment. im a mexican who grew up visiting keiko at reino aventura park. I deeply appreciate al your efforts to save her. 4 years of freedom are so much valuable than those in the tank.

[BiscuitFever]

They keep calling them whales. They're not whales. They're dolphins. The largest species of dolphins in fact.

[toniwilson]

I live in Oregon, I am happy that Oregon played a part of getting him back home. I remember how hard Oregon school kids earn the money to bring him here. My brother in law help build his tank at the Oregon coast aquarium. Sad that it didn't work completely success but we in Oregon help get him to his home water

[pudchaa]

Only halfway into this video and I’m already crying. Ugh.. I know how this story ends and I’m not ready for it! 😭

[maryoomaaziz]

9:06 awwww his attachment to humans is so cuteeee😂❤️ i wish i ran into him😭😭❤️❤️