Readers React: Keiko the whale’s release from captivity amounted to animal abuse

To the editor: Jean-Michel Cousteau calls for the release of SeaWorld’s killer whales, citing the partial success of the release of Keiko (of “Free Willy” fame). (“SeaWorld should take the next step and send orcas to ocean sanctuaries,” Readers React, March 20)

I was the director of husbandry for that project. Keiko failed to meet seven of the nine required criteria for release. He never foraged or ate on his own. Other than the fateful 23 days he was deliberately left at sea, he never swam free of dependency on his human support team.

On many occasions he was savagely chased by his wild counterparts. When Keiko tried to return to the walk-boat, he was ignored by the humans charged with setting him free.

In his final months, Keiko exhibited all the signs of a chronic negative stress. He suffered greatly and at length. In his final hours he died both apart from the fantastical world described by Cousteau and rejected by the only family he had ever known: his human foster family.

Cousteau refuses to accept the powerful bond of human-animal relationships. He now wants to condemn SeaWorld’s family of whales to the same harsh outcome Keiko suffered.

The SeaWorld whales do not deserve this unforgiving death sentence.

Mark A. Simmons, Orlando

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