R.I.P. Keiko

[nerudite]

Looks like poor Kieko died of pneumonia in Norway only 15 months after being released back into the ocean. I was dubious about the release and whether after so many years a social creature such as a whale could just acclimate itself to another life with other creatures besides humans.

Do you think it was worth all the media and hoopla (not to mention expenses) to give the whale its freedom? Considering that even in the wild it still sought humans for interaction, I think it was just too late in its life.

 

[ludes98]

In captivity for 20+ years....definitely too late for freedom.

 

[el Guapo]

In captivity for 20+ years....definitely too late for freedom.

[ot]
Unless you are a Level-3 Sex Offender (TM). In America we will let you out. Hey, we might even warn the nextdoor neighbors if we have the funds.
[/ot]

 

[Planderella]

In captivity for 20+ years....definitely too late for freedom.

What an open-ended statement. I could really take this off-topic but I'll be good.

It was probably best to keep Keiko right where she was, although she would have eventually died anyway.

 

[otterpop]

In captivity for 20+ years....definitely too late for freedom.

I was thinking the same thing when my brother announced he was divorcing his wife after 20+ years.

 

[Cardinal]

I am very much against keeping wild animals (non-domesticated species) caged. I get sad watching the bears the the zoo. Still, I can recognize that an animal that has not had the opportunity to learn to live a "wild" life is at a disadvantage in the fight to survive in the wild. This is especially true in a species such as whales, where social interaction is such a integral part of their lives. Poor Kieko should have been free to live a life at sea. Denied that most of its life, this poor fish could not be expected to make the transition to a life on its own.

 

[SGB]

Proving yet again that humans are hazardous to the health of wildlife.

RIP, big fella. Go the the light; you'll find your family pod there waiting for ya.

 

[ludes98]

What an open-ended statement. I could really take this off-topic but I'll be good.

Isn't it more fun to be bad?

 

[SkeLeton]

How did they expect that it would live? after being years locked in a tank, with out of the normal human contact and with little normal contact with others of it's species... It was bound to die.

 

[BKM]

. Denied that most of its life, this poor fish could not be expected to make the transition to a life on its own.

Pedantic nerd hat on:

A whale is a mammal, not a fish.

Pedantic nerd hat off.

In all seriousness, it was atragedy. Sometimes when we try to do good, we mess thngs up even more

 

[plankton]

gtc keiko style

The jetty that Keiko jumps over at the end of "Free Willy" is in the city that I plan for. Anyone know which city that is?

 

[Zoning Goddess]

Considering Keiko spent most of his/her life in a too-warm Mexican tank with the resulting skin problems, I think it is reassuring to know that he/she at least had the chance to live in open waters for awhile, get somewhat healthy, and seek what seemed best (human companionship, but not caged in). People were Keiko's pod, I guess.

 

[Cardinal]

Pedantic nerd hat on:

A whale is a mammal, not a fish.

Pedantic nerd hat off.

Sorry, but I don't live by The Man's rules. I have developed my own taxonomic structure. If it swims its a fish, if it flies its a bird, if it walks its a mammal.

 

[Jeff]

I saw that about Keiko....how sad. Wonder if he'd lived longer if he got the flu shot?

 

[BKM]

YOU ARE TEH REBEL, KARDINUL! MYSELF, I REBEL BIE DENYING THE OPPORESSIF HEGEMONY UV SPELLING AND GRAMUR