Closure of the French naval park triggers protest to orcas

Closure of the French naval park triggers protest to orcas

The closure of a sea zoo in southern France has triggered a hot debate about the future of its animal inhabitants, including two beloved orcas. Marineland Antibes, near Cannes, finally closed on Sunday. Management mentions a law that was adopted in 2021 and prohibits shows with whales and dolphins.

legal background

This law, which comes into force in December 2026, also prohibits direct contact between visitors and whales. In a declaration of December 4, Marineland announced that the closure would be implemented with "deep regret", since 90 % of the visitors come to the park to see the demonstrations of orcas and dolphins. Marineland works closely with the French authorities to find a new home for the animals.

The future of orcas

Currently, however, it is unclear what will happen to the two orcas-the 23-year-old Wikie and her 10-year-old son Keijo-and 12 dolphins. Marineland initially planned to bring Wikie and Keijo to a marine animal park in Japan. However, this plan met with outraged resistance from animal welfare groups, which warned that this move could be harmful to the well -being of the animals, since Japan continues to operate whaling and has no comparable laws on animal welfare and European countries.

Intervention of the French government

The French government intervened and published a report in which it explained that the only acceptable options consist of being transferred to the orcas either to a new sanctuary in Nova Scotia, Canada, or to accommodate them in the Loro Parque on Tenerife, which belongs to the Spanish Canary Islands. According to the government report, Loro Parque offers similar conditions to Marineland, where orcas have been kept since 2006

animal protection activists demand better options

However, animal welfare activists are committed to the fact that the whales are relocated to the Canadian sanctuary, where they no longer have to appear in shows. Muriel Arnal, President of the French animal welfare organization One Voice, told CNN that the sanctuary was the best option for the mother-son couple. "Japan is not a good solution at all," she said, adding that the Loro Parque would also cause problems.

Risks of resettlement

"You would continue to live in captivity, in smaller pools," warned Arnal, emphasizing that Wikie and Keijo would probably have to be separated so that Wikie can multiply. This would break the family ties that help orcas to deal with the stress of life in captivity. And although there is a risk in the relocation of the orcas to a sanctuary, there is a plan to transfer it into a marine base before they are released into a 44 hectare octopus, added Arnal.

public support grows

The orcas will stay in the Marineland until their fate is decided while public pressure increases. "It is incredible how many people are mobilizing here," said Arnal. CNN asked Marineland Antibes to comment.