On Christmas Eve 2009, tragedy struck at Loro Parque in the Canary Islands when 28-year-old orca trainer Alexis Martinez was killed during a rehearsal by Keto, a 6,600-pound captive-born killer whale.
Alexis, deeply dedicated to his work, had recently expressed concerns about the whales becoming more aggressive. His partner, Estefanía, later shared that he’d been uneasy leading up to the incident.
During a routine where he was meant to stand on Keto’s back, something went terribly wrong. Keto blocked his escape, ignored commands, and violently dragged him underwater. Despite rescue efforts, Alexis died from severe internal injuries.
His death, just weeks before a similar fatality at SeaWorld Orlando, reignited global debate over the risks of captivity for orcas—and the people who care for them.
