Farewell, Keto: The Orca That Never Knew Freedom Dies at Loro Parque
Last Saturday, November 23, Keto, a 29-year-old orca who spent her entire life in captivity, died at the Loro Parque facilities in Tenerife. With her death, four orcas have now lost their lives at this zoo in just four years, raising questions about the living conditions and exploitation of these animals in captivity.
Keto was born on June 17, 1995, at SeaWorld Orlando, where her life was marked by a lack of freedom. She never had the chance to swim in open waters or live as a member of her species should. Like so many other orcas, she was used in breeding programs that perpetuate the suffering of new animals destined to live in confined spaces, far from the ocean and its depths.
Her name is also linked to tragedy. In 2009, Keto was involved in a fatal incident when she ended the life of her trainer, Alexis Martínez. This event, along with other similar incidents, such as that of the orca Tilikum, highlights the suffering these creatures endure in captivity and the risks this situation poses, both for the animals and humans.
At the Associació Vegana de Catalunya, we want to emphasize that Keto’s death is not an isolated event but a direct consequence of an industry that treats animals as tools for entertainment and sources of profit. Orcas are social, intelligent animals with specific needs that cannot be met in a concrete tank. Condemning them to a life of captivity is not only inhumane but also distances us from the urgent need to connect with and respect nature.
What can we do to stop this?
Every time we visit a dolphinarium or a zoo that keeps cetaceans in captivity, we contribute to this cruelty. At the Associació Vegana de Catalunya, we urge reflection and action. It is time to promote ethical alternatives for education and entertainment that do not involve the exploitation of living beings.
If we want a fairer world, not just for humans but for all inhabitants of the planet, we must say no to the captivity of wild animals. Keto reminds us that freedom is not a luxury—it is a right. Let us not perpetuate this injustice.
Learn and act! Find out more about this issue and how you can help end the exploitation of animals at www.sosdelfines.org
Act with compassion and awareness.