"Keiko is a unique animal. He is an ambassador between the human and cetacean worlds."

Keiko, the 20-year-old killer whale, has touched the heart of many since his appearance in the popular movie "Free Willy". Since that movie people and children of all ages have sent money, e-mail, letters, pictures, and faxes to free Keiko for real.

After the movie things didn't look to good for Keiko. He was afflicted with viral lesions that covered large areas of his body. His lung capacity had greatly reduced and he could only hold his breathe for 3 minutes.(The average killer whale can hold their breathe for 5-7 minutes.)Because of his lack of ability to breathe normally he stayed mostly at the surface of the water. He was also very underweight, and his dorsal fin was completely bent over.

The reaction of the public was tremendous! It caused Warner Brother Studios, Richard Donner, Lauren Shuler Donner, Earth Island Institute, Free Willy/Keiko Foundation, the Human Society of the Us, and La Reino Aventura Marine Park to join together and find Keiko a new home--at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. It was there where they built a state of the art pen especially for the rehabilitation of Keiko.

In this new seven million dollar home of Keiko's, scientists created stern programs of training and testing for his eventual release. It also attracted a record number of visitors wanting to see the famous whale.

Keiko is on a long road to recovery. Since the awful beginning, he has gained more then 1900 pounds. His back muscles have strengthened incredibly, and the lesions have receded. Keiko has went from only being able to hold his breath for 3 minutes, to being able to hold it for 13 minutes! His strength, and endurance have immensely increased also.