Todays international news report on Lolita from Reuters is below. Seaquarium people always say that releasing Keiko was a failure because he died. Below are some excerpts from our Keiko chronology, starting with his arrival in Iceland. September 9, 1998: As soon as he is immersed into his native waters off Iceland for the first time 20 years after an 8-hour transport by a US Air Force C-17 directly from Newport to Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland, including two in-air refueling, Keiko pumps his flukes to swim clear of the stretcher and immediately dives. He surfaces a full minute later, circling the bay, echolocating and vocalizing excitedly, as if calling out Whos there? After 10 minutes of energetically exploring his new home he turns to his human friends perched at the pools edge. He allows Jen Schorr to scratch him briefly, but seems more interested in the place than the humans. Within 2½ hours Keiko communicates with a pilot whale that swims into his cove. He is visible to tourists only by two telescopes set up across the bay. September 11, 1998: Bob Ratliffe, Executive Director of the Foundation says that Keiko is vocalizing like hes never done before -- much more than when he was in Oregon. September 12, 1998: Keikos activity level is much higher than it was in Oregon. He begins porpoising, coming smoothly out of the water in a continuous, graceful arc to breathe and slipping immediately beneath the surface again. In the past he often stayed at the surface following a breath. Dr. Cornell is visibly moved at by Keikos response so far. As a veterinarian, Keikos medical supervisor and a human being, he says, pausing to regain his composure, it cant get any better. In late September, winds of over 130 mph lash the baypen. Staff and Keiko come through unharmed. Baypen repairs continue through the winter months. In July and August, 2002, according to daily satellite tracking reports Keiko traveled a minimum of 870 miles, usually about 50-60 miles a day for 5 weeks, diving regularly up to 70 meters, feeding himself all the way, after 23 years of confinement. Thats a fantastic accomplishment and a scientific breakthrough, and it shows what the other captive orcas are capable of. Lolita/Tokitae would be able to communicate and visit with her family and rejoin them if she and her family choose to do so. In any case, unconditional professional care and companionship will be available to her at all times. reuters/article/2015/01/25/us-usa-whale-lolita-idUSKBN0KY0MH20150125
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:58:03 +0000
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