Killing Keiko: The True Story of Free Willy's Return to the Wild

This is a book that anyone who believes that "better dead than fed" should obviously avoid. This philosophy is just exactly what killed this wonderful animal!I had the experience that will last for a lifetime with Keiko! Shortly before he was taken from Oregon to be "set free," the family went to see this famous whale. It was explained that Keiko would usually pick someone from the audience to "watch" for the entire time they stayed there. As we walked in, Keiko came immediately to the viewing glass and looked right into my heart. For the entire time I was there, he stayed glued to the glass watching me. Until a news camera showed up and turned on the lights. Then, for Keiko, it was instant, "lights, camera, action!" He preened in front of that camera and showed off in every way possible. As soon as the lights went out, it was immediately back to me! It was almost as if there was a "Vulcan mind meld" between the two of us. He stared into my heart as I stared into his eyes. It was hours before the family came to drag me away. Also, it was closing time.It was so obvious to me that this whale devoured the attention that he was given on camera. There was no way, I knew then, that Keiko either wanted to be "set free," nor would succeed!When he was turned into a small bay in Norway, away from people whom he loved and devoured their attention, he was not even given proper medical care, regardless of being diagnosed with a disease similar to walking pneumonia. As such a diagnosis would have kept him on medical treatment the rest of his life, which would have been expensive, it was ignored. In the end, it was not a sudden onset, as we were led to believe by the media, but a formerly diagnosed, and ignored, condition. He was not even given regular medical follow ups when he was exiled. Never to be free, but in the minds of some. If he were allowed HIS freedom, he would have stayed with the kids swimming with him as he was so happy to find when he reached Norway. To starve this whale when it was obvious he was NOT eating on his own, to ignore medical diagnosis, and to think that his "freedom" was enjoyed by him when he had to constantly be "walked" by his keepers... this is just ignorance on the parts of anyone who thinks this whale died happy in the wilds!This book is a MUST READ if you are open minded and WANT to know the full story of what really did happen to this majestic creature! Now, don't get me wrong, I do NOT believe that whales should be captured and trained for circus events to please the money-grabbing people who do sponsor this. However, any animal should be treated with respect. Especially those in the captivity that they did not ask for nor desire. But when a whale has known nothing else, for fifteen of his seventeen years... it is just not conscionable to even consider that this animal would be capable of happiness once he is dumped back into the ocean!My ONLY complaint with this book is the cost! I thought for several months after reading the sample that was offered if it was worth my entire month's worth of book expenditures. Finally I did pay for it, as it was not offered as a loan by a public library. I am glad I did spend this amount. Even though I can't buy another book for the rest of the month. If this price were lowered, I think it would be best for really letting people know the "true" story instead of the fabricated media tales on the death of this wonderful creature!It is well written, well edited, and has basically zero typos. A must for anyone who is open-minded and WANTS to know the truth behind all the lies from the media!

I read this book because I wanted to read about what happened to Keiko. I am so sad to learn that the people who were supposed to help him actually failed him. I've always been taught that once a wild animal is in man's custody, rarely can they go back to the wild and survive. While freeing Keiko was a very noble cause, these people were delusional. His first encounter was awful and no one but Mr. Simmons and Robin realized just how traumatic it was for Keiko. Because no one else could see beyond their quest and the end of the MONEY! Ultimately, this is what killed Keiko. Bottom line: the money ran out. Other reviewers of this book are advocating the same situation for the whales at Sea World. I've never been to Sea World, nor am I a professional when it comes to animals. Common sense tells me that Keiko loved his human companions and knew nothing different. In the end, man let him down. That Naomi Rose is now trying to profit from her "documentary" makes me ill. She was the last person in charge of Keiko and basically starved him to death leading to his pneumonia.I'm more inclined to believe Mr. Simmons simply because I feel the compassion and love he has for the whales. It comes across very clearly in his book. I found the book to be informative as well as entertaining. Even though I knew how the book would end, I was as sad as when Keiko actually died. Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for sharing your experiences with the beloved Keiko as well as your experiences in Iceland. Other people complained about putting your experiences (or emails from your wife) in the book. I believe it showed who you are as well as learning about some of the colorful people and events of Iceland.

This is amazing book - a look behind the curtains at what really happened when the Hollywood lights were shut down on this whale that, for many of us, was a big part of our childhood.The author spend a lot of time going through his personal interactions with Keiko - adding to his credibility on the subject and demonstrating his passion for working with these animals. It's also important to note, that the author does not spend a lot of time "score settling" or blatantly attacking those who are primarily responsible for the death of the whale. To me, that also lends credibility to the tale.This book is very sad. To think that politics and agendas became more important than the life of the whale.It's a great warning that we often need reminding about - that Hollywood endings are rare and that things are never what they seem on the surface.If you remotely care about the current animal rights debate swirling around orcas in captivity - you need to read this book. Read it objectively, even critically, but read it none-the-less. There needs to be a lot more truth telling in this debate.

Very interesting,but also a bit sad as to read how these beautiful creates are treated & displayed to the public.