A 29-year-old SeaWorld orca who fatally attacked his trainer has died.
Keto, who had spent his life in various tanks, died at Loro Parque in Spain.
Born into the controversial orca breeding program at SeaWorld Orlando in 1995, he started his life at SeaWorld Orlando in 1995.
Animal rights groups like PETA got mad at this program and eventually they stopped.
Keto’s family members stayed behind with SeaWorld Orlando, but at four, he was transferred to multiple other locations, such as SeaWorld Ohio and SeaWorld San Antonio.
Eventually Loro Parque used him to breed more orcas.
Keto fathered three calves Adán and Victoria: who reportedly sired Kohana, a half niece, and Ula, which Morgan produced, throughout his life..
His excess survived past their youth, and most of his offspring did not survive past their youth, except one of his calves, Adán, which survives and is held at an amusement park.
The 20th Anniversary of Bigg’s Halibut (headed by Keto) tragedy in 2009 only underscored the threats and stress of keeping orcas in captivity.
Keto fatally attacked 29-year-old trainer Alexis Martinez at Loro Parque during a training session, an apparently supervised affair by a SeaWorld senior trainer..
After the tragedy, SeaWorld removed itself from the park, but still allowed the orcas to remain at Loro Parque.
Under conditions at the amusement park, reports have emerged that Keto’s behavior deteriorated, that he chewed on concrete in frustration.
It is said this behavior resulted in permanent damage to his teeth and has become a stark symbol of the damage captivity takes on marine animals.
For years, animal rights organizations have protested against keeping whales, dolphins and other marine animals in captivity for entertainment or breeding.
They say Keto ‘suffered a lifetime of abuse’ and are using the orca’s death to call for an end to such practices.
The organization stated: ‘Loro Parque and SeaWorld had denied that Keto had the opportunity of swimming great depths in the ocean or forging any meaningful relationships with other members of his pod.’
“Don’t let Keto’s death be just a number on the long list of animals who have died at marine parks – learn his story, and then take action.”
John Hargrove, at one time senior trainer at SeaWorld and author, has spoken out before about the damage that results from keeping marine animals in captivity.
He wrote in a blog post for PETA: “Confined in shallow, barren tanks with little physical, psychological, or emotional stimulation, the intelligent, sensitive animals in these parks become distressed and ill.
“Frustrated, confused, unable to choose their own companions or swim free, they can easily turn violent, attacking other animals or severely injuring or killing their trainers.”
According to the Daily Mail, Keto was ‘showing signs of discomfort’ in the days before his passing.
Typically a male killer whale in the wild lives for about 30 years, but some live up to 60 or more years.