這是我用英文寫的, 以後有空會翻成中文.

Keiko was captured in the 1979, and then used for display at a small Mexican Zoo. Keiko was later used for the movie 'Free Willy'. In 2002, Keiko was released into open water due to strong public pressure - i.e. people feel satisfied to release a long-term captive animal back into the wild!

Although Keiko had undergone 3 years of releasing programme, Keiko died of starvation shortly following the release. In fact, after Keiko was released, Keiko constantly sought for human company, and was swimming to boats and people (probably begging for food!)

We humans capture wildlife when we want, we use them for entertainment whenever we want, and we released them back to the wild thinking that we've done a great job, and that the animal would appreciate our effort. But the reality is then the animal dies!

It's never easy to release captured wildlife into the wild. In fact, there were numerous failed attempts around the world! (including the giant pandas).

We humans try to play god. But mother nature has her own set of rules.

What is the best thing to do then? A lot of people argue whether conservation practice should aim for 'preservation' (i.e. leaving the forest intact) or 'integration with human' (e.g. wildlife tourism, ecotourism, and use wild animals for zoo education).

I think whilst most people on earth don't even care about conservation and animal welfare, perhaps the most important thing today is to start from environmental education - e.g. to raise environmental awareness through mass media (Celebritites, TV, Movies - like Avatar, Day after Tomorrow), and through formal and informal environmental education.

Only then we humans will decide what we think is best for both ourselves and the animals.

        ------ Written by TinaElle 於雪梨 2010年 二月二十五日