Captive Orca Keto Dies After Lifetime in Confinement

The 29-year-old killer whale, once involved in a fatal trainer attack, spent his life in marine parks and died at Loro Parque in Tenerife under unclear circumstances.

Keto, a 29-year-old orca born in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando, died at Loro Parque in Tenerife, Spain, with the cause of death still under investigation.
The orca exhibited signs of discomfort before his death, but his size made diagnosing his condition challenging, according to park officials.
Keto spent his life performing in marine parks, engaging in controversial breeding programs, and never experiencing the ocean or natural behaviors of his species.
In 2009, Keto fatally attacked his trainer, Alexis Martinez, during a training session, leading to heightened scrutiny of orca captivity practices.
Animal rights groups have criticized Keto's lifetime confinement, citing his unnatural behaviors and shortened lifespan compared to orcas in the wild.