The last two orcas held in captivity in France are at risk of dying due to governmental inaction concerning their abandoned marine park, activists caution. Wikie and her son Keijo, the only killer whales left in France, now swim in a neglected tank at the defunct Marineland Antibes since its closure earlier this year. These orcas, the sole survivors of their original quartet, remain in a state of emotional distress, lacking the social connections they once had with their deceased family members.
With the park closed to the public, the orcas’ living conditions have deteriorated, with their concrete tank water becoming increasingly polluted and foul-smelling green algae spreading. Despite minimal human interaction and basic care from a reduced staff, Wikie and Keijo have been forgotten by the audiences they once entertained. Meanwhile, in a smaller tank nearby, twelve bottlenose dolphins are the park’s only other inhabitants, facing a similar precarious situation.
Pressure from the cetacean advocacy group TideBreakers has been mounting on the French government to intervene and rescue the animals before it’s too late. The closure of the park came after years of activism by groups like PETA, involving protests, petitions, and collaborations with celebrities like Pamela Anderson. However, a standoff between French officials and the park’s management, still responsible for the cetaceans’ welfare, threatens to prolong the animals’ suffering.
New legislation in 2021 banned shows featuring whales, dolphins, and porpoises, setting a deadline for Marineland to relocate the animals by December 2026. Despite this, proposals to relocate the orcas to Japan or Canada were rejected due to welfare concerns and logistical challenges. A potential transfer to Tenerife was also deemed inadequate by experts. Discussions continue with various countries for a suitable solution, but time is running out for Wikie and Keijo, who have endured years of captivity and loss.
Recent updates indicate that the French government has endorsed transferring Wikie and Keijo to a sanctuary in Nova Scotia, Canada, proposed by the Whale Sanctuary Project. Although Marineland’s approval is still pending, this decision is a significant step towards providing these intelligent creatures with a more natural and spacious environment. The move is seen as a positive development by animal welfare advocates, offering hope for a better future for Wikie, Keijo, and the other marine animals in need of rescue.