USA: OREGON: KILLER WHALE KEIKO IS DOING WELL IN HIS NEW HOME

(8 Jan 1997) English/Nat It's been one year since the famous killer whale, Keiko, took up residency on the Oregon Coast. Keiko, who starred in the 'Free Willy' movies, was involved in his own drama when fans from all over the world donated money to move him from his previous home, a cramped pool in Mexico City. Trainers and vets say since he was relocated Keiko's health has improved dramatically, he has gained weight and is thriving. Keiko has made quite a splash since he moved into his new seven million dollar home. SOUNDBITE: "What we are starting to see now is an animal who is starting to explore his environment, he is starting to manipulate his own environment and become master of his own environment within this environment here - the pool that he lives in." SUPER CAPTION: Nolan Harvey, Keiko's trainer Keiko's new home is four times larger than his old one, is filled with cold purified sea water, has a concrete beach, an artificial reef. And he daily gets 300 pounds of his favourite fresh fish. SOUNDBITE: "Keiko arrived a year ago today, rather underweight for a killer whale his size. He weighed 7,720 pounds. In the last year we have put a thousand pounds, maybe a little bit more on him in weight. We have increased his cardio-vascular fitness. He's living in a pool that is roughly four times the size he was living in Mexico City. So he has to cover a bigger area to begin with." SUPER CAPTION: Nolan Harvey, Keiko's trainer The intensive therapy and training is paying off. The "Free Willy" star's trainer says the difference is remarkable. The whale has shed a string of health problems. His droopy dorsal fin stands straighter. And those who care for Keiko say he appears to be more confident and mentally stimulated. Nolan Harvey says the training has been concerned with increasing muscle tone, improving Keiko's cardio-vascular system and strengthening his ability to hold his breath under water. The Foundation that was supported by millions of dollars donated by movie-goers has an eventual aim of releasing Keiko in the wild. SOUNDBITE: " And I think that one of our biggest concerns is going to be is that he has been in captivity for so long and been around human beings that he is very friendly and we have yet to start weaning him off social interaction and so we would not put him back into the water until we believed he's weaned off of us. But right now he is very, very friendly. It would certainly be dangerous for him to be put into the wild and asked to survive when he is still so dependent on social interaction." SUPER CAPTION: Beverly Hughes, head of Keiko Foundation There are other reasons why Keiko is far from being returned to the sea - one major problem is his that the tamed whale doesn't know how to hunt for food. Still a big draw card for audiences of all ages - Keiko appears to enjoy the attention as well as his new surrounds. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...