A pod of orcas has been seen off the coast of Monterey Bay, way far south of where the whales normally travel. Scientists are guessing that the "collapse" in the chinook salmon population is responsible. Normally, these whales from the Puget Sound, never need travel south of the Columbia River, which empties on the border between Washington and Oregon. Since this is the sixth year the whales have been seen off of Monterey, the current salmon problem is looking more and more like a crisis. If Free Willy had enough to eat up in the Puget Sound, he wouldn't have to make such a long journey.

Does anyone else cry at the end of the movie when Jesse bids farewell to Willy? Gets us every time. Every time!