Free Willy dead at 27

“OSLO, Norway (AP) -- Keiko, the killer whale made famous by the "Free Willy" movies, has died in Norwegian coastal waters where he remained after millions of dollars and a decade of work failed to coax him back to the open sea, his caretakers said early Saturday.

The whale, who was 27, died Friday afternoon after the sudden onset of pneumonia in the Taknes fjord. He was old for an orca in captivity, though wild orca live an average of 35 years.

David Phillips, executive director of the San Francisco-based Free Willy-Keiko Foundation, said Keiko had been in good health but started showing signs of lethargy and loss of appetite on Thursday.”

“Just goes to show you that what we humans may think is best for the "what the human thought best in the first place", truly is not the best in the long run. Once in a comfort zone, it is difficult to adjust to uncomfort and unfamiliarity. May Keiko finally rest in peace...well after making money for the humans. (Not that I have a strong opinion or anything.)”

“man, that was one killer whale....may he eat many sea lions in heaven”

“Sushi anyone?

J/K”

“I worked on the set of Free Willy. The Fire Chiefs house is the one they used for the family in the movie. I was also inside a burning hut in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. The stunt man got fifty thousand for entering the burning hut. I got twelve bucks an hour to sit in the hut while it was on fire and to rescue the stunt man. thanks hollywood.”

“That's sad to hear that Willy died, Michael Jackson must be really sad.

Lobo, get a new job--be the stuntmant.”

“RIP Willy”

“very sad. It was a nice try to right a wrong.


Goes to show that most of the time, it's always best just to leave animals where there are.”

“Icelanders were not as enamored of the whale as Americans had been, with a poll showing only 30 percent were pleased with Keiko's arrival in the whaling nation. A Norwegian whaler, also a member of his country's parliament, said the animal should be ground into hamburger.

Gotta love those Icelanders!”