posted on September 3, 2002 06:29:46 PM new
What do you think about captured animals that are returned to the wild? Do you think it's right or should they live in captivity until they die?
OSLO, Norway -- A Norwegian whaling
expert says the killer whale who
became famous as the star of "Free
Willy" movies should be put to death.
Keiko has turned up in a Norwegian fjord,
six weeks after he was returned to the
wild from his pen in Iceland.
He is arguably the world's best-known
whale, given his starring role in the three
"Free Willy" films that were released in the
1990s, as well as a brief animated series
shown on television.
"This is all madness," whaling expert Nils
Řien, of the Institute of Marine Research
in Bergen, Norway, told VG Nett, the
online edition of Norway's largest
newspaper.
"First they spend millions on taming him and turning him into a movie star. Then
they spend more millions on turning him back into a wild animal.
"They should have let him live and die in captivity. Now that they have decided not
to keep him in captivity, they should put him down. Those who believe that they
are helping Keiko by setting him free, are really doing the opposite."
posted on September 4, 2002 09:00:33 AM newDo you think it's right? Depends. If animals are captured and only held for the time it takes to return them to the wild, I think they should be.
Poor Keiko is another issue. I remember thinking it was wonderful he was being 'retired' to a tank where children could still enjoy him. Then I saw a program about his living conditions in that Mexico tank. I remember thinking he should be released rather than endure those 'living' conditions.
But kill him? No way. He appears to be surviving out on his own. He's being monitored. It's just sad that because he's so used to human contact, he seems to be seeking that companionship.
WOW to: "Keiko's rehabilitation cost $20 million."
posted on September 4, 2002 10:01:22 PM new
they should kill this whale before it gets some innocent child in a backyard pool...or starts dining on neighborhood pets...didn't I read somewhere about killer whales seen the alleys of New York? ...no.......wait.... it was cabinet members in the sewers...yeah, that's it...
posted on September 5, 2002 07:40:11 AM new
Keiko's rehab appears to be a failure, I don't think he should be put down though, but returned to a reputable aquairium to live out his life.
He does give great enjoyment to both young and old.
Ain't Life Grand...
posted on September 5, 2002 08:13:19 AM new
He's feeding himself - seems happy to play with who ever shows up and is not costing anymore money so what is the problem?
If people want to go swim with a carnivore the size of a minivan that's their business.
posted on September 5, 2002 10:02:10 PM new
Keiko was *not* caught and "tamed" for use in the motion picture. Nor was the whale "retired" to the miserable Mexican tank.
That Mexican aquarium was his orginal home after being captured years ago. He was discovered there by the film's producers, and used for the film. Which in turn created the tidal wave of calls for the whale's release. That uproar led to the rehabilitation efforts for Keiko. The whale was not simply dumped back into the wild--they spent years teaching him to survive, using a contained environment (netted bays, etc.) before allowing him into the open sea. And they have continually tracked his progess. He seems to be happy and doing well.
