The fates of two orcas and 12 dolphins have been left up in the air after being left abandoned in a closed marine park in France, following new French animal welfare laws that prohibit the use of cetaceans in entertainment.
The legislation originally passed in 2021, but will come into effect in 2026.
Marineland Antibes, located near Cannes, closed in January 2025. Despite its closure, two orcas named Wikie and Keijo (a mother and calf both born in captivity) are being left in slowly deteriorating tanks, alongside 12 dolphins in separate tanks. Wikie and Keijo are the last captive orcas in France.
Released drone footage from animal activist group TideBreakers showed the mother and son pair in algae-filled tanks, describing them as being “trapped” and “waiting for their fates” in an Instagram post.
TideBreakers stated that the footage is from May 7.
Footage obtained by TideBreakers showed the animals in algae-filled tanks. (Source: TideBreakers)
“The abandoned park is also home to 12 dolphins that have been left to rot at the algae-infested deteriorating tanks,” the post read.
“Marineland’s owners also own Shouka, Wikie’s sister and Keijo’s aunt, who lives at SeaWorld San Diego.”
In another statement, TideBreakers said that this “demands global attention”, per PEOPLE.
“If these whales become ill, this bonded pair — a mother and her son — will likely be euthanized or succumb to the deteriorating environment,” the statement read.
The group also said that another orca in the tank, Inouk, had “died after swallowing a small piece of metal”, and that the animals should be relocated to a facility that can care for the animals — despite the organisation being against cetaceans in captivity.
TideBreakers’ statement via Instagram. (Source: TideBreakers)
While Marineland Antibes is still responsible for the animals, ultimately the French government will determine the fates of the marine creatures, per BBC.
Managers at the park stated that the orca and dolphin performances attracted 90 per cent of all visitors, and without them the park is not viable.
The French government previously blocked a deal to send the orcas to a marine zoo in Japan — which was backed by Marineland’s managers — citing that Japanese animal welfare laws are a lot more lenient than in Europe, and that the cetaceans would not receive proper care. They also said that the journey could potentially cause high levels of stress for the animals.
Another attempt to rehome the whales in Spain was also dismissed by the Spanish government.
Wikie and Keijo are the last captive orcas in France. (Source: TideBreakers)
Animal charity The Whale Sanctuary Project also spoke out, and offered to relocate the animals to Nova Scotia.
“At the end of last week, the Spanish government rejected what appeared to be a firm plan to transfer orcas Wikie and Keijo from Marineland Antibes to Loro Parque zoo in the Canary Islands,” a statement on their website read.
“The Whale Sanctuary Project is making it clear again to all parties that we are ready to work with the French government, with Marineland Antibes, and with any and all other organizations to bring Wikie and Keijo to the sanctuary we are preparing in Nova Scotia.
“It remains the only viable solution. And we remain ready to work with the French government and with Marineland Antibes to bring Wikie and Keijo to sanctuary.”
The fate of the 12 dolphins also remains unclear.
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