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Witness History: Keiko: Freeing 'Free Willy'

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Keiko: Freeing 'Free Willy'

24/03/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Keiko: Freeing 'Free Willy'

In 1998, Keiko the Hollywood killer whale was released back into the wild

In 1998, Keiko - the star of Hollywood blockbuster Free Willy - became the first ever killer whale to be released back into the wild after a life of captivity.

In 1998, Keiko became the first ever killer whale to be released back into the wild after a life of captivity.

Keiko shot to fame as the star of the 1993 Hollywood blockbuster, Free Willy.

A multimillion dollar campaign to free Keiko began following the success of the movie and he was flown back to his native country, Iceland. 

Dave Phillips was in charge of making it all happen. He has been sharing his memories with Matt Pintus.

(Photo: Keiko in Iceland. Credit: Getty Images)

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