January 8, 1996
Web posted at: 7:55 a.m. EST (1255 GMT)
From Correspondent Rusty Dornin
NEWPORT, Oregon (CNN) -- In the wee hours of Sunday morning, Keiko the killer whale said a final "adios" to his tiny tank in Mexico City and began the 12-hour trip to Newport, Oregon, on the "Keiko Express" in an 18 ton crate of wood, steel and fiberglass packed with ice and water.
When the C-130 carrying its leviathan cargo appeared in the sky over Newport, thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the screen star known as Willy.
Keiko was the star of the movie "Free Willy," the tale of an orca, or killer whale, who wins his freedom. When it became known that the actor was himself kept captive in less-than-ideal conditions, a campaign was launched to give him a better home. The Free Willy Foundation spearheaded the $7.5 million drive.
Keiko, surrounded by his trainers and experts in transporting marine mammals, was put into a special sling and hoisted by crane into a railway container full of water, foam rubber and chopped ice to help him avoid dehydration.
He then was packed aboard the C-130 for the flight, made in three legs, that took him from Mexico City to Oregon. The people who were waiting with growing excitement were rewarded Sunday evening as Keiko arrived and was introduced to his new 2 million gallon pool. (625K QuickTime movie)
Cooped up for about 18 hours, Keiko became a little feisty toward the end of his epic journey. But soon enough he was off and swimming.
There were concerns that the 16-year-old orca, already with a weakened immune system, would be worn out by the to the Pacific Northwest.
"The first milestone will be to have him eat," said Phyliss Bell of the Oregon Coast Aquarium. "Then we'll know he's OK."
It didn't take long to ease that concern. After making a few rounds of his new home, which is four times the size of his old one, he was happy for a handout.
In his new hometown, there is Keiko-mania. Hats, T-shirts, and even Keiko root beer. Folks in Newport say they are happy to have him.
"It's going to mean that finally Newport has reached a place on the map that says 'we care about our world,'" said one happy resident.
Keiko's new pool comes complete with rocks and canyons to help him with sonar sounding, and jets to change the circulation in the pool so he won't get bored going in the same direction. It is filled with cooler water than his old pool, making it more hospitable to orcas.
But will Keiko ever really achieve the Hollywood ending and swim free?
"That'll be based on whether his health is good enough," said Bell, "whether scientists and the government feels that he's capable of release." One concern is whether he will learn to catch his own food. Also, orcas are only accepted by their own family groups, and researchers wonder if Keiko's original pod, last sighted more than 15 years ago, can be found.
Those questions won't be answered soon. For now, Keiko's new keepers will focus on his health, adding about 2,000 pounds to his weight, and making him feel welcome in his new home.
![[Imagemap]](/WORLD/images/world_nav.gif)
Copyright © 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.