- Experts fear Keiko is too fond of people
- 03.09.02 - Famous whale 'Keiko' swims into fjord
- 02.09.02 - Pictures: Keiko's remarkable life - 03.09.02
Posted on 09/03/2002 1:11:47 PM PDT by Trailer Trash
Whale expert: 'Best to destroy Keiko'
While Keiko the killer whale frolicked in a western Norwegian fjord Tuesday, a local whale expert warned that Keiko may not survive the winter. If he doesn't detach himself from humans soon, it may be best to destroy him, he said.
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| While researchers discussed Keiko's fate, the affectionate whale snuggled up to their boat. |
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Niels Oeien of the Institute for Marine Research in Bergen, who specializes in sea mammals, says Keiko also may represent a threat to Norway's major salmon breeding industry.
"Reports are coming in now that the killer whale (spekkhuggeren, in Norwegian) is disturbing fish farms within the Skaalvik Fjord," Oeien told Aftenposten Multimedia. "If there are more such episodes, he should be destroyed."
Oeien's remarks may be viewed as shocking and brutal by many, but Oeien claims he also has the 26-year-old Keiko's best interests at heart.
"I think the entire Keiko story is more or less crazy," he said. "Millions have been used to tame him, in order to turn him into a movie star. Then millions more are used to try to make him wild again.
"Those who think they've helped Keiko by setting him free are actually doing just the opposite," Oeien said.
Oeien also said he doubts "very much" that Keiko is capable of hunting enough food necessary to survive. "Then it's better to destroy him now instead of letting him starve to death," he said.
Keiko spent his third day in a row on Tuesday swimming happily around in the Skaalvik Fjord near Halsa in the northwest district of Nordmøre. Other researchers claim he is healthy and active, but also worry he's not eating properly.
Fernando Ugarte and Colin Baird of the Ocean Futures Society have been following Keiko's progress since the whale was released into the wild off Iceland in early July. They repeated calls for the public to leave Keiko alone, even though Keiko himself actively seeks out human companionship.
"When Keiko plays with people around him, he uses a lot of energy," Ugarte told Aftenposten. "He hasn't used time to find food."
Some Swedish tourists tried to offer Keiko some pickled herring on Tuesday, but luckily, he wasn't interested.
He said whales like Keiko can go without food for up to two months. "But what he needs now is time for himself," Ugarte said.
Ugarte disagreed with Oeien's views, however. "There is absolutely no need to destroy Keiko," he said. "We will continue to monitor his movements and we're in a position to take care of him if problems crop up."
Aftenposten's Norwegian reporter
Svend Ole Kvilesjø
A Norwegian with a brain.
Endangered Species?
This is what they should do. They had no business removing the animal from its natural environment in the first place. Now that he has become accustomed to human company, it is their obligation to care for him, not destroy him because he doesn't "fit in " in either world.
Norway says problem has been resolved.
I'd say the answer is no.
"Oeien also said he doubts "very much" that Keiko is capable of hunting enough food necessary to survive
So which is it?? He's going to wipe out the fish, or he's going to die from starvation.
Can't have it both ways!
We must kill him, because otherwise he may die.
This poor whale sounds like a liberal democrat... refusing to learn necessary life skills in favor of short term gratification.
Actually, he's been free for quite a while and he's looking fit and well fed.
Oeien is a twit. His "academic opinion" probably has more to do with the fact that the whale seems to have gotten a pair of fish-farmer's shorts in a bunch, and those are the people who underwrites his job ;).
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