The fate of Marineland’s orcas

With plans under discussion to send Wikie and Keijo to Loro Parque Zoo, the Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition calls on the French Government to retire the pair to a sanctuary instead.

Two orcas swimming inside a glass fronted pool at Marineland

Wikie and Keijo at Marineland 2024 (c) Leo’s Animal Planet

As the future remains uncertain for Wikie and Keijo, the two remaining orcas currently held in tanks at the recently closed Marineland in Antibes, the South of France, the Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition asks why the French authorities seem to be making a hasty decision as to their future, given the deadline to relocate the pair is not until 2026. 

The Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition representing wildlife organisations and experts from across Europe, of which Born Free is a founding member, has approached Ms Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Ministère de la Transition écologique, de l’Énergie, du Climat et de la Prévention des risques (Ministry of Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention) in France, requesting that the retirement of orcas Wikie and Keijo to an authentic seaside sanctuary be considered.

However, it has recently been confirmed that the Ministry has turned down an application to relocate the orcas to a Canadian seaside sanctuary, and is instead considering sending them to Loro Parque Zoo in Tenerife, Spain.

Loro Parque Zoo already holds several dolphins and orca in small, crowded tanks, which are used in shows to entertain visitors. Concerns regarding Loro Parque’s orca husbandry record have been raised on many occasions with four having died since 2021, and others showing signs of stress.

Margaux Dodds, Chair for the Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition and Director of Marine Connection explains, “Loro Parque’s poor track record of mortality and welfare of the orcas under their care has been well documented. Loro Parque are on record as being keen to breed their orca and have indicated that Wikie and Keijo will be utilised as part of their breeding programme, where they have used artificial insemination techniques to force this outcome.”

Veterinarian Dr Mark Jones, Born Free’s Head of Policy says “The evidence that the health and welfare of orca and other cetaceans is severely compromised in captive environments is clear. The shows and tricks they are forced to perform have no educational or conservation value.

“The French authorities have taken the progressive and welcome step to end the keeping of cetaceans in captivity. They must now seek the best possible solutions for the remaining captive animals in the country, starting with Wikie and Keijo. Sending them to Loro Parque will only perpetuate and compound their suffering.”

Dolphinaria-Free Europe are requesting that the Ministry should re-consider the options for Wikie and Keijo. Born Free reiterates that a more compassionate solution should be found that doesn’t involve simply transferring them to yet another marine park, where they will likely continue to be exploited for entertainment.

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Born Free’s Tank Free campaign is calling on the public, tourists and the travel industry to help end the exploitation of captive whales, dolphins and porpoises for entertainment. Please visit our Tank Free campaign page to find out more and how you can help.

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