A killer whale that spent its whole life in captivity and fatally attacked its trainer in 2009 has died at a Tenerife zoo.
Male orca Keto passed away aged 29 after ‘showing signs of discomfort in recent days,’ according to Loro Parque in northern Tenerife, where 6,600lb Keto lived since 2006 following his move from Seaworld in Orlando.
A total of 21 vets took part in the necropsy at the weekend, although the cause of death has not yet been made public and further tests are now taking place which are expected to take around a week to conclude.
Animal rights organisation PETA has now lashed out after Keto had to spend a ‘lifetime of exploitation and confinement to tiny tanks at various “abuse”ment parks’.
At Loro Parque, Keto reportedly displayed unnatural behaviours like biting on concrete, which caused his teeth to be completely or partially worn down. Keto also appeared to be ‘aimlessly floating’ out of boredom and anguish, PETA said.
On Christmas Eve 2009 it launched a bloody attack on one of his trainers, 29-year-old Alexis Martinez who had worked with orcas for several years.
The pair were working together on that year’s Christmas show in a training pool when Keto pulled him under water.
Alexis’ injuries including multiple compression fractures, tears to vital organs and bite marks.
A total of 21 vets took part in Keto’s necropsy at the weekend, although the cause of death has not yet been made public and further tests are now taking place which are expected to take around a week to conclude
Male orca Keto (pictured) passed away aged 29 after ‘showing signs of discomfort in recent days,’ according to Loro Parque in northern Tenerife
On Christmas Eve 2009, it launched a bloody attack on one of his trainers, 29-year-old Alexis Martinez (pictured) who had worked with orcas for several years
Heartbreaking footage resurfaced earlier this year of the experienced trainer in action. He had confided in his girlfriend before the tragedy ‘something could happen at any time.’
SeaWorld briefly stopped water work with whales at three of its parks in the immediate aftermath of Alexis’ death.
It occurred two months before Seaworld trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed in front of thousands of spectators at the Orlando attraction in an incident that made headlines around the world.
Loro Parque made no mention of Keto’s former trainer’s death in a long statement confirming the animal had passed away.
It said: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of our beloved 29-year-old male orca Keto.
‘Born on 17th June 1995, in SeaWorld Orlando, Keto became part of the Loro Parque family in 2006, where he served for years as an extraordinary ambassador of his species, captivating everyone with his commanding presence and unique personality.
‘There are no words to express the depth of this loss for the whole of our Loro Parque team, particularly for the trainers and vets who shared their daily lives with Keto.
‘The relationship that develops between our animals and all those who work at Loro Parque goes beyond the professional, becoming a deep bond filled with love and mutual respect.
Four trainers were needed to handle 6,600lb Keto to sedate him for an endoscopy procedure (pictured above)
‘In recent days, Keto had shown signs of discomfort. Our veterinary team and international specialists took every action they could to help.
‘Sadly, despite intensive efforts and exhausting all available resources, this tragic outcome could not be prevented. From a veterinary diagnostic perspective, orcas – particularly large individuals like Keto – present unique challenges.
‘Their anatomy complicates the use of tools like ultrasounds, which cannot reach their internal organs, and their size makes examinations with technologies such as CT scans difficult.’
Additionally, orcas tend to hide signs of illness – an instinctive behaviour to avoid showing weakness within their group – which further complicates their veterinary care.
‘We will conduct a thorough pathological examination in collaboration with experts from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to determine the cause of his death,’ the park said.
‘Keto lived for almost 30 years before his sad passing – studies show that the average life expectancy for males in the wild is 29 years, placing Keto within the average for his species.’
Loro Parque said Keto’s mother Kalina was the first orca born in a Seaworld theme park.
The statement continued: ‘For the Loro Parque family, Keto was not just an ambassador of his kind but an irreplaceable being who left an indelible mark on our hearts.
‘His memory will live on in those who were fortunate to know him and in all those who, thanks to him, learned to admire orcas. Rest in peace, dear Keto. We will always remember you with the greatest love and gratitude.’
Keto was one of four orcas kept at Loro Parque, two males and two females.
Earlier this year’s the zoo’s owner Wolfgang Kiessling launched a controversial attack on animal rights’ organisations like PETA and WAP which have been highly critical of orcas being kept in captivity, branding them ‘eco-terrorists.’