Remembering Keiko: The orca who inspired a generation of ocean conservationists

Keiko's story is one of hope, resilience, and the power of compassion to inspire change.

Keiko was born in the wild in 1976 and was later captured and sold to a theme park in Mexico City.

For years, he was confined to a small tank, performing tricks for crowds of onlookers.

But Keiko's story took a dramatic turn in 1993, when the movie "Free Willy" was released.

The film, which told the story of a young boy who befriends a captive orca named Willy, was a box office hit and sparked a global movement to free Keiko.

The film's success raised awareness about the plight of captive marine mammals and the importance of protecting their welfare.

In 1996, Keiko was finally freed from his tank and relocated to a rehabilitation facility in Oregon.

The goal was to prepare him for release back into the wild.

Although Keiko never fully adapted to life in the wild and eventually passed away in 2003, his legacy lives on.

The "Free Willy" movies inspired a whole generation of ocean conservationists.