DATELINE: 2nd October 2001

NO FREE KEIKO
Keiko, the orca whale star of Spielberg's Free Willy, is destined never to be a Free Keiko.
Under the care of a team from US conservation group Ocean Futures, Keiko had been groomed for freedom at a centre in southern Iceland, but the trainers have admitted defeat.
Crunch point came when Keiko was introduced to other orcas in open water and, after three months' mingling, would not forage away from humans, who have been at the centre of his life since his capture in Icelandic waters way back in 1979.
"We are now at the stage of looking for a permanent home for Keiko [Japanese for 'lucky one'] as it is likely he will never be free," said Hallur Hallsson, Ocean Futures' Icelandic spokesman.

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