Dispute Over Whale’s Care Stalls Plan to ‘Free Willy’

Owners of the whale that starred in the hit movie “Free Willy” accused an aquarium Monday of putting greed ahead of the animal’s well-being by saying he was too sick to be released into the wild.

Keiko’s arrival at the Oregon Coast Aquarium aboard a plane from an aquarium in Mexico in January 1996 had a storybook quality, with hundreds of cheering children lining the streets of this tourist town to welcome him.

But last month a veterinarian quit over Keiko’s care, and the state is investigating charges that the mammal is in poor health and being exploited. And the foundation that owns Keiko held a news conference Monday to rebut statements made last week by Oregon Coast Aquarium officials who claimed Keiko was listless and being treated for respiratory ailments.

Dr. Lanny Cornell, a San Diego veterinarian representing the Free Willy-Keiko Foundation, accused the aquarium of saying Keiko was ill to prevent their star attraction from being set free.

Cornell said he and another doctor examined Keiko Monday and found him to be fit. Within two years, it may even be possible to begin the process of returning Keiko to the ocean, Cornell said.

Keiko’s presence has helped double attendance at the aquarium and has generated an estimated $75 million for the local economy.

But aquarium president Phyllis Bell said economics had nothing to do with the announcement last week that Keiko was ailing.

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board has launched an inquiry to determine who is caring for Keiko and how well.