It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of our beloved 29-year-old male orca Keto. Born on 17th June 1995, in SeaWorld Orlando, Keto became part of the Loro Parque family in 2006, where he served for years as an extraordinary ambassador of his species, captivating everyone with his commanding presence and unique personality.
There are no words to express the depth of this loss for the whole of our Loro Parque team, particularly for the trainers and vets who shared their daily lives with Keto. The relationship that develops between our animals and all those who work at Loro Parque goes beyond the professional, becoming a deep bond filled with love and mutual respect.
In recent days, Keto has shown signs of discomfort. Our veterinary team and international specialists took every action they could to help. Sadly, despite intensive efforts and exhausting all available resources, this tragic outcome could not be prevented.
From a veterinary diagnostic perspective, orcas—particularly large individuals like Keto—present unique challenges. Their anatomy complicates the use of tools like ultrasounds, which cannot reach their internal organs, and their size makes examinations with technologies such as CT scans difficult. Additionally, orcas tend to hide signs of illness—an instinctive behaviour to avoid showing weakness within their group—which further complicates their veterinary care.
We will conduct a thorough pathological examination in collaboration with experts from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to determine the cause of his death. Keto lived for almost 30 years before his sad passing – studies show that the average life expectancy for males in the wild is 29 years, placing Keto within the average for his species.
For the Loro Parque family, Keto was not just an ambassador of his kind but an irreplaceable being who left an indelible mark on our hearts. His memory will live on in those who were fortunate to know him and in all those who, thanks to him, learned to admire orcas.
Rest in peace, dear Keto. We will always remember you with the greatest love and gratitude.
