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Keiko's Capture and Early Life
- Keiko, the orca who played Willy in "Free Willy," was captured off the coast of Iceland at a young age.
- He was sold to Marineland, then to Reino Aventura in Mexico City, where he lived in inadequate conditions.
Keiko's Condition and Public Response
- Keiko's poor health in Mexico, including skin lesions and a suppressed immune system, was evident during filming.
- This spurred a campaign, including a toll-free number in the credits, leading to millions in donations.
Formation of the Free Willy Keiko Foundation
- Public donations, along with contributions from Warner Bros., the Humane Society, and Craig McCaw, funded the Free Willy Keiko Foundation.
- This foundation aimed to rehabilitate Keiko and potentially release him back into the wild.