KEIKO

Keiko, the orca from Free Willy, became the first captive killer whale to be returned to the wild after public demand following the movie's success. Captured from Iceland as a calf, he spent years in poor conditions before efforts to rehabilitate him began. Though he learned to catch live fish, Keiko never fully reintegrated with wild orcas and continued seeking human contact. He died of pneumonia in 2003, with critics calling the release a failure, but supporters celebrating his improved health and freedom in his native waters.