Children Build Burial Mound for Keiko
OSLO, Norway (AP) - Hundreds of schoolchildren in western Norway bid farewell to Keiko the killer whale Thursday by building a burial mound of stones over the Hollywood star's grave.  more

Memorial service to honor the late Keiko
Around 300 Norwegian children will be among those taking part in a memorial service on Thursday for Keiko, the loveable killer whale who died in a local bay just before Christmas. Some mourners are coming from as far away as California.  more

Keiko Buried in Secret Ceremony
OSLO, Norway (AP) -- Keiko, the killer whale star of the "Free Willy" movies, was buried Monday in a snow-bound pasture during the deep darkness of Nordic winter in a ceremony kept secret from the public. "We wanted to let him be at peace," said Dane Richards, one of his caretakers. "He's free now and in the wild."  more

Keiko, the Most Famous Whale in the World, Dies in Norway
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Free Willy Keiko Foundation and The HSUS reported today that Keiko, the orca whale, died today in the Taknes Fjord, Norway, in the company of staff members who have been caring for him there.  more

'Free Willy' still star of own show
Keiko the "Free Willy" whale still doesn’t want to be free. It's been about a year since Keiko was freed from his pen — and swam straight back to human companionship. With the killer whale drawing 200 to 400 fans a day, the bay he calls home seems more like a low-budget "Keikoland" than an experiment in returning a captive orca to the wild.  more

Keiko is Oldest But Not So Old
According to newspaper VG, the official record for a male killer whale in captivity, registered in the USA's Sea World, is an age of 22 years. Keiko is now 26, which is not so much compared to his expected lifespan in the wild, which can range from 30-50 years.  more

Keiko Tourists can Expect Strict Welcome
Per Arne Westavik of regional travel service Reisemål Nordmøre has sent out a press release making it clear that potential sightseers to Keiko's current choice of home, Halsa, can not expect to get too chummy with the star of the Hollywood movie Free Willy.  more

Unusual Winter Keeps Keiko 'Human'
One of the reasons Taknes Bay was chosen over Keiko's summer choice of Skaalvik fjord in Halsa Township was that the bay is regularly visited by a large group of orcas most winters. The animal's team was hoping this might tempt their charge out to sea and freedom once again. "Winter has played a trick on us - the wind has been wrong for the herring and the good weather has convinced the killer whales to stay out at sea. Things have not gone according to plan," Frank Haavik told Adresseavisen.  more

ABC's "20/20" Segment on Keko: What You Didn't See
On Friday, January 24, the ABC newsmagazine 20/20 aired a segment on Keiko, the orca star of Free Willy, that was presented as a work of journalism. In other words, viewers had every reason to think the segment, produced by ABC's news division, would present the facts so that they could draw their own conclusions, with minimal editorial bias. But what actually aired was almost entirely editorial bias. If 20/20 reporters, editors, and news executives were really interested in reporting the facts on Keiko's reintroduction campaign, they would have found plenty of evidence of the orca's success. In fact, The HSUS and the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation provided such evidence to the segment's producer and its reporter, Lynn Sherr, all of which was ignored.  more

Killer whale tourists flock to peaceful fjord
The bay of Tysfjord, some 260 kilometres (160 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, shows Norway has more to offer killer whale enthusiasts than Keiko -- the "Free Willy" movie star recently released from a sea aquarium and now living in Norway's waters.  more

Norwegian Christmas for Keiko the Whale
Norwegian Christmas for Keiko the Whale The Keiko team is making yet another attempt at making Keiko less attached to humans, hoping that this spring, when other killer whales migrate by Taknes Bay, Keiko will join them.  more

Keiko Awaits Friends
Killer whale Keiko, who has spent time in Taknes, Norway for over a month, is expecting to see some wild killer whales soon. "We are expecting wild killer whales just outside of the inlet in February and hopefully Keiko will make contact with them," says Thorbjörg Kristjánsdóttir, biologist and trainer of Keiko in Norway.  more

HSUS reports on Keiko's move to Taknes
A small group of people have gathered in Halsa for one of Norway's most carefully guarded secrets this season-Keiko's move to his new winter home. A few reporters are here, along with Keiko's two caretakers and officials from The Humane Society of the United States, including President and CEO Paul G. Irwin. We've all come to witness the next step in Keiko's amazing odyssey to freedom.  more

Keiko makes a splash with new hosts
Norwegian farmer Ola Henden was among the first to greet his new celebrity neighbor when Keiko the killer whale swam into the bay alongside his home on Thursday. Nothing this exciting had happened in the remote spot for 50 years, he said with a grin.  more

"Free Willy" Killer Whale Swims To New Winter Home
Keiko, who has lived most of his 25 years in captivity, swam about 10 km (six miles) alongside a boat to the ice-free Taknes bay where his trainers believe he is more likely to find killer whale company.  more

Keiko's Winter Program in Norway Wins Support
Work is now underway for the next phase of Keiko's reintroduction program. Ocean Futures Society is pleased to report that the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation and the Humane Society of the United States received permission from the Norwegian Fisheries Directorate to relocate Keiko to Taknes Bay, Norway within the Halsa Kommune. We expect the relocation to take place before the end of October.  more

Keiko the Whale Moves to New Home
HALSA,- After a playful, 90-minute swim Thursday, Keiko the killer whale arrived at his new winter home in a remote Norwegian bay that his trainers hope will attract more wildlife and fewer people. His keepers kept the move secret until the last minute, hoping to avoid the publicity that has surrounded the six-ton orca since he swam to a Norwegian fjord after being released off the coast of Iceland earlier this year.  more

"Free Willy" Keiko Caught in Celebrity Past
Norwegian authorities announced two weeks ago that Keiko would move immediately to Taknes bay, about 10 km (six miles) from the Skaalvik fjord where he has been since he showed up in Norway last month. It is still uncertain when that will happen.  more

WHERE'S WILLY? by SUSAN ORLEAN Everybody's favorite whale tries to make it on his own.
It was a hell of a time to be in Iceland, although by most accounts it is always a hell of a time to be in Iceland, where the wind never huffs or puffs but simply blows your house down. This was early in August, and it was stormy, as usual, but the summer sun did shine a little, and the geysers burped blue steam and scalding water, and the glaciers groaned as they shoved tons of silt a few centimetres closer to the sea.  more

Officials Find New Home for Keiko
Norwegian authorities have found a new winter home for celebrity killer whale Keiko. They also will protect Keiko from commercial exploitation and continue efforts to reintroduce him to the wild.  more

Keiko the Killer Whale Stays a 'Free Willie'
Norway and the United States have hit the Miami Seaquarium with a one- two knockout punch on the marine park's request to capture Keiko the killer whale and put him back in a tank.  more

A Gentle Giant of the Ocean with an Addiction to Fame
Norwegian authorities have found a new winter home for celebrity killer whale Keiko. They also will protect Keiko from commercial exploitation and continue efforts to reintroduce him to the wild.  more

Keiko of "Free Willy" Fame Still Drawing Fans, to the Lament of the Killer Whale's Keepers
OSLO, Norway - Despite the efforts of his keepers, some Norwegians still can't resist Keiko the killer whale, including a little girl who spent hours playing the Free Willy film theme on her harmonica - just like in the movie. "That's just the kind of thing we don't need," Colin Baird, Keiko's trainer, said Friday.  more

Seaquarium in Florida wants to house Keiko
The Florida Seaquarium wants Keiko, the killer whale who once resided in Newport, but it appears unlikely that the Miami aquarium will get control over the orca.  more

Keiko gets Private Concert
Eight-year-old Astrid from South Trondelag is one of Keiko the killer whale's biggest fans. She traveled to Skålvikfjorden to play him the theme from "Free Willy" on the harmonica, VG Nett reports.  more

Keiko, Stay Away from that Miami Vise
Miami Seaquarium's proposal to "rescue" a famous orca from Norwegian waters is wrong.  more

Miami Aquarium's Cry: Capture 'Willy' Marine Park Says Keiko the Whale Not Safe at Sea
(San Francisco Chronicle) - The Miami Seaquarium says Keiko, the orca that starred in the "Free Willy" movies, needs rescuing from the wild before he starves or is injured by humans who have flocked to the fjords of Norway to see him. Saying it's best if Keiko is captured, aquarium officials have applied to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration for a permit to bring the killer whale back to the United States and put him on display in their park.  more

"Free Willy" Star Set to Spend Winter in Norway
OSLO - Keiko the killer whale looks set to spend the winter in Norway where rival coastal communities are lobbying to offer a home to the star of the "Free Willy" movies, his handler said.  more

D-Day Looms for Keiko
A decision is due Friday on where the friendly killer whale Keiko will spend the winter. The team now looking after him in a Norwegian fjord has reportedly received several offers, Norwegian fisheries officials are involved and Keiko continues to enjoy all the attention.  more

Keiko the Killer Whale, of 'Free Willy' Fame, Seems Healthy After Sluggish Period
OSLO, Norway (AP) - Keiko the killer whale is likely to remain in Norway under human care for the winter, after the "Free Willy" film star swam to the Scandinavian nation following his release in Iceland, his handler said Thursday.  more

'Free Willy' Star Flooded in Offers for Retirement
OSLO (Reuters) - Keiko the killer whale, star of the "Free Willy" movie, showed up in Norway last week and is awash in offers by retirement homes in Norwegian fjords -- free of deadly harpoons.  more

Keiko May Have to Move
Killer whale and movie star Keiko may have to leave the scenic Skålvikfjord in Nordmore - but this will not mean the end of Norwegian hospitality. His team seeks a spot where Keiko can more easily meet other orcas.  more

Rest, Food and Recreation for Keiko
While Keiko-tenders await the results of a blood test the killer whale will get plenty of care. Penicillin, to stave off what appears to be a cold, 50 kilos of fish, plus some exercise are on the menu for the popular orca.  more

Aftenposten - "Keiko Can Stay in Norway"
Skålvikfjord, Norway (September 6, 2002) - Local authorities from Halsa Township spoke with the fishery directorate and Keiko team members Colin Baird and Fernando Ugarte on Friday. Together they plotted out a solution that should keep the killer whale as happy and healthy as possible through the winter. "Keiko will get more room, fewer people around him, and food if he needs it. He will stay in Norway this winter," Ugarte said. "Keiko will of course be free to leave. He won't be blocked in and can leave the fjord and Norway any time if he changes his mind."  more

AP - Norway Bans Contact With Keiko
OSLO, Norway, September 6, 2002 (AP) - Norwegian officials on Friday barred people from getting near Keiko the killer whale, hoping to protect the star of the "Free Willy" movies from hordes of fans he appears to enjoy. Ivar Roen, head veterinarian for Moere and Romsdal County, where the Skaalvik fjord is located, said the ban was imposed because fans had not heeded appeals to leave Keiko alone. The ban keeps unauthorized people from going within 165 feet of Keiko or feeding him, Roen said. Police will fine anyone who violates the ban.  more

HSUS statement - "We're committed to making every effort to insure Keiko's health and safety"
Washington (September 5, 2002) - In cooperation with the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation which still maintains legal custody of Keiko, HSUS will continue to monitor Keiko on a daily basis. If data changes in a way that indicates Keiko is in distress and the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation requests the Humane Society of the United States to assist with an intervention to insure his health and safety, we are fully prepared to do so.  more

The Directorate of Fisheries, Norway - "Keiko will not be put down"
BERGEN, Norway (September 5, 2002) - The Directorate of Fisheries is responsible for the management of sea mammals in Norwegian waters, including the killer whale Keiko, now located in the Skålevikfjord in Halsa municipality. The Director General of Fisheries, Mr. Peter Gullestad, would strongly state that Norwegian authorities have no intensions to put Keiko down.  more

HSUS Keiko Watch -The Latest News on the Orca's Return to the Wild
"We are appealing to all boaters to avoid Keiko and give him all the space he needs to be fully self-sufficient," said Paul G. Irwin, president and CEO of The HSUS. "Our efforts in moving Keiko from captivity to the wild have always been directed by Keiko's best interests. We will continue to do exactly what is best for him."  more

Keiko in Norway: Q&A - Click here