the orca keto, the oldest in Loro Parque, died this Friday in captivity at 29as reported by the Tenerife Zoo itself on social networks. The specimen was the same one that attacked Alexis Martínez, one of his trainers, who ended up dying due to the attack of an orca during training in 2009.
Keto was born in captivity on June 17, 1995 at SeaWorld Orlando and was transferred to Tenerife “where he was for years an exceptional ambassador of his species, captivating everyone with his imposing presence and unique personality,” explains the zoo on its website.
In the statement they point out that Keto recently began to show signs of discomfort and that, despite the attention of veterinarians and international specialists, “it was not possible to avoid this sad result.”
As they detail, orcas, especially large specimens like Keto (6 meters long and around 4,500 kilos), have a unique challenge from the point of view of veterinary diagnosis.
“Its anatomy makes it difficult to use tools such as ultrasound, which cannot reach its internal organs, and its size prevents studies using technologies such as CT scanning. In addition, cetaceans tend to hide signs of illness, an instinctive behavior to avoid showing weaknesses in their group, which adds complexity to their veterinary management,” they point out.
A 7-hour autopsy
To clarify the causes of his death, Loro Parque announced the carrying out of an exhaustive study of pathological anatomy in collaboration with experts from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. According to Canarias 7, the autopsy began on Friday at 11 p.m. and ended at 6 a.m. this Saturday and the result is still not known.
From the zoo they point out that, “although in the 90s it was thought that male killer whales could live more than 50 years, recent research has shown that the average life expectancy of males in the wild is 29 years, which corresponds to Keto. in average longevity for his species.
For Loro Parque, “Keto was not only an ambassador of his species, but a unique being who left an indelible mark in our hearts.” “His memory will always live on in those who were lucky enough to know him and in all those who learned to admire orcas thanks to him. Rest in peace, dear Keto. We will always remember you with the greatest love and gratitude,” the letter concluded.
