David Kirby on Keet

David Kirby, author of the excellent ‘Death at SeaWorld, reports that something is apparantly eating away at Keet’s already flacid dorsal fin in ‘What’s Eating ‘Keet,’ SeaWorld’s Captive Killer Whale?’

The orca’s dorsal fin is in terrible condition—but did a virus or the bite of another killer whale cause the damage?

David reports, 

“In the video, Keet obediently moves into position before the pool bottom, partly covered in green algae, rises up to beach him. Next, a female veterinarian gingerly applies what looks like laser surgery, apparently to cauterize the ragged flesh of his fin. At times you can see bits of his folded dorsal light up in orange as the laser burns away rotted tissue.”

You can see the original footage that Davis is referring to in his article and here.