This is the real story of Keiko, the killer whale who starred in Free Willy. Hosted by Daniel Alarcón, The Good Whale explores the effort to “free” Keiko after the movie made him a global icon — ironic, isn’t it?

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The podcast isn’t just about the whale, it’s also about the people surrounding him. From the keepers who cared for him at the Mexican amusement park Reino Aventura, to the conservationists who worked to release him to the wild. Each person believed what they were doing was what was best for Keiko, but this podcast highlights how good intentions don’t necessarily lead to good outcomes.

The episodes include empathetic storytelling and conversations with the people involved. No one is cast as a villain — the podcast hopes to show the complexity of the situation, raising valid, thought-provoking questions about animal care. For example, Keiko had been kept in captivity for so long, was it fair to expect him to adjust in the wild? Or was it more about easing human guilt over keeping him captive?

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart.

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