Keto, an orca born in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando, has died at the age of 29 after spending his entire life in confinement. Keto was infamous for killing his trainer, Alexis Martínez, during a 2009 Christmas Eve training session at Loro Parque in Tenerife. The incident, which highlighted the dangers of keeping orcas in captivity, left Martínez with severe injuries, including multiple fractures and organ damage. Keto had been transferred to Loro Parque in 2006 after performing at all of SeaWorld’s parks by the age of five.
Loro Parque announced Keto’s death in a heartfelt statement, calling him “an extraordinary ambassador for his species” and “family” to his caretakers. However, animal rights groups like PETA and the Dolphin Project responded with criticism. PETA claimed Keto was “driven insane from confinement” and urged people to stand against using animals for entertainment. The Dolphin Project condemned the conditions in which Keto lived, stating, “An orca’s only way out of these dreary concrete stadiums is death.”
A Loro Parque spokesperson refuted claims of mistreatment, asserting that the park maintains the highest standards of animal care. They dismissed PETA’s accusations as lacking scientific credibility and reaffirmed their commitment to animal welfare.
Keto’s death reignites debates about the ethics of keeping orcas in captivity, with calls to end such practices gaining momentum. Both Loro Parque and SeaWorld have faced growing public scrutiny, as critics advocate for greater protections for marine life.
