description Oregon Coast Aquarium Overview
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a public aquarium in Newport, Oregon, that opened in 1992 on Yaquina Bay. The facility housed Keiko, the orca from the Free Willy films, from 1996 to 1998 during a rehabilitation program before his transfer to Iceland. The aquarium focuses on marine life of the Pacific Northwest coast and features exhibits on coastal habitats, seabirds, and marine mammals including sea otters and harbor seals. It also operates wildlife rehabilitation programs for injured marine animals.
help Oregon Coast Aquarium FAQ
Was Keiko the orca really kept at the Oregon Coast Aquarium?
Yes, Keiko, the orca who starred in the 1993 film 'Free Willy,' lived at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport from 1996 to 1998. He was brought there from a facility in Mexico City to be rehabilitated for potential release back into the wild.
Where is the Oregon Coast Aquarium located?
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located in Newport, Oregon, on the central Oregon coast along the Pacific Ocean. The facility sits on a large campus near Yaquina Bay and is one of the most visited attractions on the Oregon coast.
When did the Oregon Coast Aquarium open?
The Oregon Coast Aquarium opened in 1992 and became widely known internationally when Keiko the orca arrived in 1996. Keiko's presence brought hundreds of thousands of additional visitors during his years at the facility.
What happened to Keiko after he left the Oregon Coast Aquarium?
After being rehabilitated at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Keiko was transported to Iceland in 1998 for further conditioning in a sea pen, with the goal of eventual reintroduction to the wild. He was eventually released into the North Atlantic and lived until 2003, dying in a Norwegian fjord.
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