The last two killer whales in captivity in France are facing a bleak future as activists warn of the potential for their demise due to governmental neglect of the abandoned marine park where they reside. Wikie and her son Keijo are the sole remaining orcas in France, left to navigate their desolate tank at Marineland Antibes after its closure earlier this year.
With their marine park now off-limits to the public, the orcas are left in deteriorating conditions, with their concrete tank water becoming increasingly contaminated and foul-smelling algae spreading. Despite minimal care and human interaction from a reduced staff, Wikie and Keijo have been largely forgotten by their once-adoring audiences.
Meanwhile, 12 bottlenose dolphins also reside in the deteriorating park, facing a similar fate. Cetacean advocacy group TideBreakers is urging the French government to intervene and rescue the animals before it’s too late. The closure of the park followed extensive campaigns by animal rights organizations, yet a dispute between French officials and the park’s management regarding the animals’ welfare continues to prolong the animals’ suffering.
While legislation has banned entertainment shows featuring whales and dolphins and set a deadline for their relocation by December 2026, proposals to rehome the orcas have been rejected. Efforts to relocate them to Japan or Canada have been thwarted due to welfare concerns and logistical challenges. Alternative options are being explored, including discussions with other European countries for potential relocation.
TideBreakers emphasize the urgency of the situation, warning that Wikie and Keijo may not survive much longer in their current conditions. The government is actively seeking solutions, with a proposed transfer to a sanctuary in Canada identified as a viable option. This decision, if approved by Marineland, will offer the orcas a chance at a more natural and spacious environment, fulfilling their welfare needs. The French government has deemed the sanctuary in Canada as the most suitable and ethical option for the orcas’ well-being.