Keiko the whale needs our help

[Guest guest]

Thursday, September 05, 2002 9:31 AM

- Help Keiko

> September 4, 2002>>

>> KEIKO NEEDS OUR HELP>>

>> Hello everyone,

> We're writing to ask for your help in dealing with an URGENT problem Keiko

> has run into - Norway.

>

> As you may know, Keiko has been swimming free in the North Atlantic for

>more

> than a month now... during this time he traversed the ocean between

>Iceland

> and Norway, finally arriving near the coastal community of Kristiansund on

> August 28th. The next day. photos were taken of him that showed Keiko

tobe

> in perfect condition, proving beyond doubt that he is able to feed andfend

> for himself. This was GREAT news! Two days later Keiko moved on, heading

> north along the coast of Norway. He soon encountered a small boat with a

> family on board that was out for a day's fishing - after making

contactwith

> the children and accepting fish from them, Keiko followed the boat into a

> small fjord called Skaalvikfjord and the port town of Halsa. His presence

> caused a great stir because he was quickly recognised as the famous starof

> the film Free Willy. People flocked to the shore to see him, boatscrowded

> around, kids jumped into the water, media arrived. Only the overnight

> arrival of Keiko project staff, who had been tracking Keiko via

hissatellite

> & radio tags, prevented the situation from becoming a circus. Theyquickly

> sought & gained the cooperation of much of the community.

Nevertheless,when

> the story got out, some very scary & serious developments took place.Most

> alarming was the call by one apparently respected whale researcher to kill

> Keiko “for his own goodâ€. Judging by the reaction within and outside

> Norway, this sentiment is not likely to determine the outcome of Keiko’s

> foray into Norway. However, Norway is a country determined to continue

> killing whales in the face of world opinion, and because of that Keiko may

> well be in great danger.

> What is needed NOW is an appeal from people around the world to the

> government of Norway to act quickly to protect Keiko.

> This, then, is an appeal to YOU to help Keiko, NOW.

> PLEASE, before you do anything else today, go to

http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/norway1.htm

http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/norway1.htm

> and locate a Norwegian

> embassy or consulate in your country. Phone or fax your appeal to

Norwayto

> protect Keiko. Remember that phoning or faxing gets more attention thanan

> email, so please take the time.

> You can also send a message directly to the government of Norway. The

> Ministry of Environment has a message board at <A

HREF= " http://odin.dep.no/md/global/kontakt/index-b-n-a.jsp " >

http://odin.dep.no/md/global/kontakt/index-b-n-a.jsp

> The Ministry of

> Fisheries can be reached via email

postmottak

or phone +4722 24 90 90 or fax +47 22 24 95 85.

> Please pass this message on as far and wide as you can. If enough of

uswho

> care about Keiko, and our children, and their friends, and their

friendslet

> Norway know how we feel, Keiko will be safe to continue his journey.

> Otherwise, Keiko's incredible journey into freedom may end before it

> has barely begun.

> THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

> As ever, we send out best wishes to you all,

> Paul & Helena

> ps: For background stories, check out

http://www.aquarium.org/keiko/keikohome_main.htm