Original version

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: Keiko: Freeing 'Free Willy'

Documentaries

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)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

Keiko: Freeing 'Free Willy'

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service