Keiko in Taknes Bay, Norway. Photo credit: www.keiko.com

Thank you for visiting the Ocean Futures Society online condolence book, in memory of Keiko. The following are some of the many emails we’ve received from people around the world, expressing their thoughts about Keiko. If you would like to contribute to the book, please send your message to: contact@oceanfutures.com

Sincerely,
The Ocean Futures Society Team

Man never should have taken you from your natural environment. You paid dearly for someone's selfish act. We tried to make you free and wild again, tried to fix the past mistakes. You were never completely independent of man, but you were free to make your choices. Perhaps people became your pod. Keiko, you took me to a greater level of understanding and enlightenment. I hope the last few years were good for you. I hope you enjoyed your freedom and return to your home waters. I will work to make sure orcas remain free! I will never forget you!
Kathryn

Although I never got to see you in life, I was a big fan who wished you happiness wherever you chose to find it. My husband and I took a trip to the NW specifically to see you before you left for Iceland, but were told that all the tickets to the aquarium had long been sold out. Almost, but not quite! We bought a Wyland print of you which hangs proudly above our fireplace in our family room. I had your picture as my wallpaper on my computer at work. I feel like I've lost a friend and I will miss the stories about your progress. You just liked people too much to take off into the depths of the ocean with the other orcas. Rest in peace, my friend.
Toastie

I saw Keiko at the Oregon Coast Aquarium just prior to his leaving to his new home in the wild. When he watched you through the glass with those soft eyes, I was an instant fan.

It is tragic that he has left us. You are right though; he was and will always be an ambassador of the sea. Keiko is not the only ambassador that has shown us that humans can be destructive and that we can't always repair the damage we cause. Smokey the Bear is another example of how we humans sometimes don't consider the consequences of our actions. He now stands as our symbol to "Prevent Forest Fires" and all children know who he is.

Keiko won the hearts of children and adults and I hope that he will now stand as the national symbol to "Protect Our Oceans". He may physically not be with us anymore, but he can still live in our hearts and remind us of the old saying, "to every action there is a reaction". If we don't start giving back, we won't have anything left.

My thanks to everyone involved with Keiko's care and well-being. You allowed Keiko to be our teacher and gave us a little more time with such a magnificent creature.
Sue

Dear Mr. Cousteau,
Thank you for the wonderful tribute to Keiko. I was privileged to have seen him at the aquarium in Oregon several years ago and like so many others prayed for his release into the wild. How blessed we all have been that this beautiful animal has touched our lives. I believe we all have a deeper understanding of our fragile environment and the sacredness of all life because of what Keiko has taught us. The world is a lesser place now that he is gone, but hopefully we have learned a valuable lesson that will continue for generations to come.

May you and yours be richly blessed during this holiday season and in the coming year.

Sincerely,
Cecilia

I will miss him but I have 3 wonderful movies I can watch. My grandchildren love the movies too. I would like to thank you and Keiko for my love for whales.

Thank You
Irene

I am so saddened over Keiko's death as I have followed his journey since his days in Mexico. Somehow I feel like I have lost my best friend. Keiko was so loved by many who he touched with his incredible courage and love for humans. I hope that he won't be forgotten, he was an example of the realization that man and nature are inextricably linked. Please keep his memory alive by helping to free the other Orcas from their Sea World prisons.

I will never forget him!
Jill

Thank you to everyone involved with Keiko over his lifetime, especially during the past 10 years. Many people believed that it was impossible to return a captive killer whale to the wild, but fortunately, many millions more believed it was possible, especially for Keiko. Thank goodness we did, as he lived his last years in the wild and free to make his own decisions. And his final decision was to live close to us and then to even die close to us, his human friends. Rest in peace Keiko, you will be with us forever.
Shannon

I've been following Keiko's life for 10 years now and was lucky enough to actually see him in person when I was 17 when he was staying at the aquarium in Newport, Oregon. I cried when I saw him because I felt honored to be able to see this remarkable animal. I will cherish the pictures I took of him for the rest of my life.

It may sound odd, but seeing Keiko in "Free Willy" changed my life. I am now more aware and more involved with animal rights. And I am more aware about what is going on in the animal world. It also introduced me to this wonderful species that I really knew nothing about when I was that young.

My heart goes out to everyone that worked with and knew Keiko, such as the doctors and caretakers. I am sure this is very heartbreaking to all of them. Keiko was an intelligent, beautiful creature who will never be forgotten. I love you Keiko.
Violet

Keiko is free at last. He brought us a new sense of how we can feel about wild creatures. It tells us a little about ourselves that we did not know before. I grieve but I am happy for Keiko!
Oliver

My sincere condolences to everyone that was involved with Keiko over the years. I have followed his story for many years and while I am happy that he did die a free whale, it doesn't make up for the years in captivity.

I have been against whales in captivity for as long as I can remember and unfortunately the public does not always hear of all the deaths of whales in captivity yet they still continue to support places like Marineland in Ontario.

I for one will never support a park that has a whale in captivity. And I now know that Keiko is truly free in every sense.

May God go with him.
Wendy

I am truly sorry for Keiko passing. I have followed him and his treatment for a couple years now. He was a very lucky animal and I do hope he will be remembered as your society for your effort in the ocean of the world.
Greyn

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