Urgent action needed for Marineland orcas

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

Born Free is deeply alarmed by growing pressure on Spanish authorities to approve the transfer of Wikie and Keijo – the two orcas currently held at Marineland Antibes in France – to the Loro Parque dolphinarium in Tenerife.

Such a move would condemn the pair to continued confinement in concrete tanks, ongoing performance schedules, and the very real prospect of being used for captive breeding, perpetuating the exploitation of future generations of orcas for commercial gain.

Under a French law passed in 2021, the exploitation of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in captivity for public shows and interactions will be banned from later this year. Their keeping and breeding in captivity will be generally prohibited and only possible under very limited conditions.

As a result, and following a steep decline in visitor numbers, Marineland closed the doors of its zoo and dolphinarium in Antibes, France, to the public in January 2025. Since then, the future of the two orcas and 12 bottlenose dolphins who remain at the facility has been uncertain.

In December, the French government signalled its preference for the orcas to be transferred to the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Whale Sanctuary Project is currently seeking funding to enable it to be ready to welcome the orcas later this year.

However, recent reports indicate that Marineland is pushing aggressively for the orcas to be transferred to Loro Parque, a notorious dolphinarium in Tenerife, Spain, where they would likely continue to be exploited for public entertainment, and potentially for breeding. This is in spite of reports that Spanish authorities have deemed conditions at the dolphinarium to be unfit to house Wikie and Keijo. Four orcas are reported to have died prematurely at Loro Parque between 2021 and 2024.

Born Free, alongside our colleagues in the Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition, has recently written to both French and Spanish ministers urging them to block any move to Loro Parque, and instead to prioritise efforts to secure a genuine sanctuary solution for the animals. In the meantime, the orcas should continue to be cared for at Marineland, with independent oversight. Transparent information about their health and care, as well as that of the dolphins, should be made publicly accessible on a regular basis.

Commenting on the situation, Born Free’s Head of Policy Dr Mark Jones said: “With dolphinaria closing across Europe and public sentiment shifting decisively against cetacean captivity, it is essential that the orcas and dolphins at Marineland are provided with lifetime sanctuary care. Exporting them to commercial facilities where they will continue to be exploited undermines the very purpose of the French legislation and perpetuates their suffering. Such an outcome might suit Marineland, but it would reflect badly on both the French and Spanish authorities.”

Born Free stands with organisations across Europe in urging France and Spain to reject any plan that would condemn these orcas to further exploitation.  The Nova Scotia sanctuary remains a possible compassionate alternative, but making this a reality relies on political commitment, independent scientific advice, and ministerial action.

Dr Jones continued: “Born Free calls on both governments to demonstrate leadership, uphold scientific guidance, and ensure Wikie and Keijo, and the twelve bottlenose dolphins at Marineland, are given every chance to live out their lives in a naturalistic, enriched environment that respects their welfare and dignity.”