Major update for orcas stuck at Europe’s biggest marine park a year after closure | World | News

The French government has moved to accelerate plans to relocate the remaining marine mammals stuck at Marineland Antibes, the largest marine zoo in Europe which closed in January 2025. The two orcas and twelve dolphins kept at Marineland, in the south of France, could be transferred to Spain within weeks. During a visit to the site in Antibes on the French Riviera on Friday, France’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Mathieu Lefèvre described the situation as “an absolute emergency” in light of the deteriorating condition of the pools.

He said that leaving the animals where they are is no longer viable. He added: “The status quo would condemn both orcas to certain death. Given the dilapidated state of the pools, we must act quickly and break the deadlock.” The orcas Wikie and Keijo, along with twelve dolphins, have remained at the park since it closed to the public more than a year ago. The deaths of several animals at the park and disturbing footage of the animals’ living conditions have sparked growing anger and protests in recent years.

A ban on orca and dolphin shows and their captivity in France led to the theme park’s closure on January 5, 2025. Since the closure, several plans to rehome the orcas have been proposed and subsequently blocked or rejected. With no functioning marine sanctuary available, authorities say they have been left with limited options for relocation.

The government is now backing a transfer plan that would take place before the end of June and send the two orcas to Loro Parque in Tenerife, while the dolphins would be distributed across several Spanish facilities.

Marineland’s management supports the urgency of the move, warning that rising temperatures in the coming months could complicate transport and increase stress on the animals, Nice Matin reports.

Wolfgang Kiessling, founder and president of the Loro Parque Company, said in a statement to the Express on Friday: “Loro Parque has the willingness and firm commitment to collaborate with public authorities, assisting and rescuing Wikie and Keijo and providing all its resources so that these animals do not die and can be hosted permanently in conditions that ensure their protection and welfare; however, this requires the explicit approval of the Spanish Government.”

Shortly after the government announced its support for the transfer on Friday Animal welfare groups have voiced strong opposition. Having campaigned for months against moving the orcas Wikie and Keijo to Loro Parque in Tenerife, several organisations criticised what they describe as a rushed decision that undermines the intent of France’s law banning cetacean performances.

Sea Shepherd has accused the French state of “yielding” to commercial pressures linked to Marineland’s owners, who are seeking redevelopment of the site, according to Nice Matin. The organisation C’est Assez! is demanding full publication of the CITES permits and legal documents governing the transfers, arguing the move could breach EU rules if the animals are ultimately used in commercial activities.

One Voice has also called on Spanish authorities to reject the transfer altogether, describing Spain as “the last barrier” to preventing what it considers continued captivity. The organisation urged Spanish authorities not to approve the transfer, describing the continuation of cetacean captivity as unacceptable and calling on Spain to reject the move.

On the other hand, PETA Watch has welcomed the French Government’s decision to approve the transfer of the two orcas stranded in Marineland to Loro Parque. With Marineland Antibes closed since January 2025, PETA Watch said its priority has been to campaign for the animals to be transferred to an established, accredited zoological facility. It said the decision to transfer the orcas to Loro Parque ensures they will receive the expert veterinary care, and long-term stability that they need.

In a statement shared with the Express, Brian Monteith, senior adviser to the PETA Watch, said: “The French Government has made the right call for the wellbeing of these orcas. Faced with fantasy solutions and political pressure, it chose the only credible option that safeguards their welfare. The idea, pushed by animal rights groups, that they could be placed in a sea sanctuary is just a fantasy.

“The option promoted by these groups, the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia remains unbuilt and unfunded – which is why they asked for $10m payment from the French authorities. The campaign groups that have raised millions to argue for these sanctuaries should hand back the money to donors.

“The experience of a sanctuary experiment that housed two beluga whales in Iceland highlights the risks of campaigning built on aspiration rather than delivery.

“Six years after their transfer, the two belugas have spent a total of just 71 days at sea. Despite this, campaigners continued to press for speculative alternatives rather than support an immediate, workable solution in an established facility.”