The Good Whale: Episode 4 - "Please (Don’t) Go"

Release Date: December 5, 2024
Host/Author: Serial Productions and The New York Times

Introduction

In Episode 4 of The Good Whale, titled "Please (Don’t) Go," host Daniel Alarcon delves deeper into the ongoing saga of Keiko, the orca famously portrayed in the movie Free Willy. This episode chronicles the challenges and pivotal moments in Keiko's journey toward reintegration into the wild after two decades in captivity. The narrative intertwines personal anecdotes, expert insights, and critical developments that shape the fate of the world's most famous whale.

Keiko's Struggle for Freedom

The episode opens with Jeff Foster reflecting on his extensive research into orca behavior and referencing Alexandra Morton's insights on animal instinct. Foster posits that Keiko's path to freedom hinges on whether he retains the innate ability to survive in the wild or has become dependent on human care through his prolonged captivity.

Notable Quote:

"If you believe what Morton is saying, then the way forward with Keiko is simple. Just let him be." — Jeff Foster [00:28]

In the summer of 2001, Keiko faced a crucial decision point in Iceland. The team grappled with whether to trust Keiko's natural instincts or continue human intervention to aid his reintegration. Foster emphasized the dilemma:

"The only conclusion you can come to is that Keiko needs us humans for a while, certainly, but maybe forever, to watch over him, teach him." — Jeff Foster [01:50]

Attempts at Reintegration

Despite initial setbacks, including a botched introduction to wild whales and unsuccessful attempts to establish lasting connections, the team remained steadfast in their efforts. Foster led multiple ocean excursions with Keiko, hoping each encounter might spark recognition and acceptance from wild orcas.

Key Moments:

• First Summer Efforts: Strategies included non-feeding introductions to avoid competition and attempts to pair Keiko with a young emissary orca, which ultimately failed when the potential companion left the area. [05:08]

• Challenges Faced: Frequent attempts to interact with wild whales lasted barely a minute, often ending with Keiko bolting away. Foster noted the emotional toll this took on both Keiko and the team:

  "A sluggish, undernourished whale at sea... we were getting a lot of pressure from certain, you know, certain directions to leave them out there as long as we could." — Jeff Foster [07:54]

Funding and Team Changes

As 2001 progressed, financial strains began to surface. Craig McCaw, the billionaire funder behind Keiko's project, faced significant losses due to the dot-com crash and personal upheavals, including a divorce from Wendy McCaw, a staunch supporter of Keiko's rehabilitation.

Impact of Funding Shifts:

• Humane Society Partnership: By 2002, the Humane Society of the United States took over as the primary funder, leading to drastic changes in the project's operations. The generous work schedules and comprehensive support previously provided were replaced with tighter budgets, reduced staff benefits, and stricter oversight.

• Staff Exodus: Jeff Foster and most of his colleagues departed the project, perceiving the new management's intentions as undermining Keiko's well-being for financial efficiency.

Notable Quote:

"They were forced to push the old staff out, get some new blood in that would do exactly what the Leadership wanted." — Jeff Foster [10:35]

New Team, New Approach

The new team, featuring individuals like Thorberg Valdis and Fernando Ugarte, brought fresh perspectives but also skepticism about the previous methodologies. Colin Baird, with his controversial history at SeaWorld, emerged as a pivotal figure advocating for a more naturalistic reintegration process.

Strategic Shifts:

• Less Human Interaction: The new regimen emphasized reducing human presence to encourage Keiko's natural behaviors and interactions with wild orcas.

• Increased Whale Time: Efforts were made to immerse Keiko in environments rich with wild whale activity, fostering opportunities for him to learn and adapt organically.

Notable Quote:

"The whole point was to give him more chances to do the kind of learning he'd largely missed out on as a calf." — Jeff Foster [15:17]

Keiko's Behavior and Wild Encounters

As the team implemented the new strategy, Keiko exhibited a mix of tentative and hopeful behaviors. While sometimes he remained on the periphery of wild gatherings, other times he actively engaged, suggesting a yearning for social integration.

Key Observations:

• Whale Soup Participation: Keiko occasionally ventured into the chaotic gatherings of multiple orca pods, displaying behaviors akin to playful engagement or social exploration.

  "Keiko was there just on the side, just, whoa, there's something happening there." — Fernando Ugarte [22:33]

• Feeding Attempts: Despite ample prey such as leftover herring, stomach samples often showed Keiko did not successfully hunt, indicating ongoing dependence on human-provided food.

• Emotional Signals: Extended periods where Keiko sought human interaction—spending 57 hours near the boat—hinted at lingering attachments or confusion.

  "57 hours spent begging for attention has to mean something." — Jeff Foster [19:28]

Adverse Weather and Keiko's Departure

On August 2, 2002, a severe storm in Iceland tested Keiko's resilience. The team faced a critical decision as Keiko was last seen near a pod of wild whales before inclement weather forced them to retreat. Subsequent tracking revealed Keiko had left the designated area, leading to uncertainty about his fate.

Decisions Made:

• Choosing Release: The team opted not to intercept Keiko despite waning signals, trusting his prior course and believing he was navigating independently.

• Emotional Turmoil: Left behind, the team grappled with fear and hope, reflecting on Keiko's ability to adapt and survive.

Notable Quote:

"I just believed it's so much better for him to be free out in the ocean." — Fernando Ugarte [21:38]

Optimism and Risks of the Project

Dave Phillips, an environmentalist central to Keiko's rescue, remained optimistic despite setbacks. He viewed Keiko not just as a symbol for ocean conservation but also as a beacon for changing public attitudes toward captive marine life.

Perspectives:

• Symbolic Significance: Phillips believed Keiko's successful reintegration would inspire global shifts from exploitation to protection of intelligent marine species.

  "They're going to say, and Keiko will be one of the milestones in this transition." — Naomi Rose [32:55]

• Potential for Redemption vs. Failure: The project carried immense risk; success would validate years of effort and advocacy, while failure could undermine the movement for animal rights.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

As the episode concludes, Keiko's fate hangs in the balance. The blend of human dedication, financial hurdles, and the unpredictable nature of the wild creates a tense narrative. The team's evolving dynamics and strategic shifts offer a nuanced view of animal rehabilitation, raising profound questions about human intervention and the innate desires of intelligent creatures like Keiko.

Stay tuned for the next episode as the story unfolds.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "If you believe what Morton is saying, then the way forward with Keiko is simple. Just let him be." — Jeff Foster [00:28]
• "A sluggish, undernourished whale at sea... we were getting a lot of pressure from certain, you know, certain directions to leave them out there as long as we could." — Jeff Foster [07:54]
• "They were forced to push the old staff out, get some new blood in that would do exactly what the Leadership wanted." — Jeff Foster [10:35]
• "57 hours spent begging for attention has to mean something." — Jeff Foster [19:28]
• "I just believed it's so much better for him to be free out in the ocean." — Fernando Ugarte [21:38]
• "They're going to say, and Keiko will be one of the milestones in this transition." — Naomi Rose [32:55]

Credits

The Good Whale is written and reported by Daniel Alarcon and Katie Mingle, with production by Katie and Alyssa Shipp. The episode includes contributions from Jen Guerra (Editor), Julie Snyder and Irik Glass (Additional Editing), Phoebe Wang (Sound Design), and features music by La Chica, Osman, Nick Thorburn, and Matt McGinley. Special thanks to contributors Anna Marcibel, Clausen, Filipa Samaja, Patrick Miller, Michael Weiss, and Adam Lalitsch.

For more information, subscribe to The Good Whale on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or visit nytimes.com/serialnewsletter.