The famous whale Keiko is dead and buried on shore

The secret burial took place during the night to keep it as private an affair as possible. Now Keiko will forever be a part of the scenic bay in northwestern Norway where he spent his last year. After he found his way here for over a year ago, Norwegian authorities offered him permanent residence. Keiko become immediately incredible popular among the locals, but also people from all over in Norway. The media covered his new life with big headlines, and soon he also attracted tourists from abroad. For the Norwegians authorities it was a big challenge to protect Keiko from the curios visitors.

Not only the Norwegians, but also the whole world mourns because the loss of Keiko. Many tears have felled after the sad news was brought. Dead whales are usually towed out to open sea, and some even had feared Keiko would be slaughtered. But the Free Willy-Keiko Foundation, which had work hard without success to return Keiko back to the wild, wanted Keiko buried on land. Norwegian authorities went along with the request (according to Aftenposten English Web Desk, Nina Berglund, 15 December 2003).

Normal practice is to sink dead sea mammals in open sea, but this was a special situation. Keiko was not a normal whale. Local authorities in Halsa Township, who protected the area around Keiko's recent home in Taknes Bay, supported the request. The township experienced a big boost in tourism after Keiko emerged in a nearby fjord last year, and it's speculated that a monument will be erected in the area to honour Keiko's unusual life.

Keiko was first captured off Iceland as a youngster and spent the next 20 years in captivity, performing in various aquatic parks in Mexico and the US. He became famous in the movie "Free Willy," and thousands of people donated money towards efforts to return him to the wild. The intention was good, but it didn't work out that way. Keiko had already become too used to humans. He swam to Norway on his own after he become released last summer. He found his way to a local fjord and continued to prefer human companionship. Keiko delighted the residents and tourists with his antics and melted their hearts.

Must this beautiful and friendly animal rest in piece. He was a real friend of the humans. It's amazing to see sometimes how strong relation it could be developed between humans and animals. For some people Keiko will never be forgotten!

Stein Morten Lund, 15 December 2003

Additional information Source: Norwegian national newspaper Aftenposten.

For more stories about Keiko, click on the Aftenposten`s link below: http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article.jhtml?articleID=691382