Online Highways Home > Oregon > Keiko the Killer Whale Star of 'Free Willy' Succumbs to Pneumonia in Norway Keiko, the killer whale star of Free Willy and Free Willy II, moved from Mexico City via cargo plane into his new home at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in January, 1996. Over the next 32 months, Keiko was rehabilitated at the aquarium, where more than 2.5 million people paid him a visit. In the fall of 1998, Keiko was moved to a pen in the waters of the North Atlantic off Iceland. Once there, his handlers prepared him for the wild, teaching him to catch live fish on his own without the dependency on humans. Keiko was released from Iceland in July 2002, but he swam straight for Norway on a 870-mile trek. Keiko found Taknes Bay, a clear, calm pocket of coastal water deep enough that it doesn't freeze in winter. Keepers fed him there, but he was free to roam and did, often at night. The whale, who was 27, died December 12, 2003,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. Plan your vacation to the Pacific Northwest with a packet of information in the mail and you may win a $200 gift certificate courtesy of our sponsors. See more Wildlife Viewing. Other upcoming events include: Crab Feed Charleston February 13 Eastern Oregon Sportsman Show Pendleton March 12 thru March 14 John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival Burns April 9 thru April 11 KLCC Microbrew Festival Eugene February 12 thru February 13 International Film Festival Portland February 11 thru February 27

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Latest Tweets About Keiko Oregon

winosandfoodies "@KeikoNordljus I wish I could read Japanese Keiko."
onokinegrindz "@KeikoNordljus Congrats Keiko! That is so awesome. Couldn't view/read on my cellphone. Will look at it later on my Mac at home."
MattArmendariz "@KeikoNordljus That is so awesome! Congrats, Keiko!"
Sheng07 "@italyface i was searching keiko kitagawa last night on twitter and apparently, alot of people are spazzing because of her. Not just us.."
Latest Tweets About Killer Oregon

AdmailEmailDan "This is me highly doubting this is a Twitter "killer". http://bit.ly/9zZCVg"
davebromage "The guy leading NewsInt's Dream Team comp has just transferred in Abou Diaby. He's like a serial killer getting sloppy so he'll get caught."
twittes "Google Launching Twitter-Killer For Gmail!: Sin Descripciu00f3n http://bit.ly/9h8DvH"
hodulo "RT @DrJeffersnBoggs: Google Launching Twitter-Killer For Gmail!u00a0 (GOOG) (Nicholas Carlson/Silicon Alley Insider) http://bit.ly/cTmVpu"
Latest Tweets About Whale Oregon

mellarina "A wizard has turned you into a whale. Is this awesome (Y/N)?"
Downhillwego "I favorited a YouTube video -- Whale of a Tale - Bridgestone Super Bowl Commercial 2010 http://youtu.be/632pCs5rLDw?a"
SkunkTrain "If you happen to be on the Mendocino Coast in March for Whale Festival keep in mind that Mendocino Coast Whale... http://bit.ly/9jU28b"
OMauiEldorado "Mama & baby whale jumping between the lookout and McGregor point - show has been going on for quite a while; watch for traffic in this area"
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