The last two orcas held in captivity in France are facing a grim future as activists raise concerns over governmental inaction toward their abandoned marine park. Wikie and her son Keijo, the remaining killer whales in France, are left languishing in a deteriorating tank at Marineland Antibes, which closed its doors earlier this year. Bereft of stimulation and missing their deceased family members, the orcas are the sole survivors from their original group of four.
With the park inaccessible to the public, the orcas’ living conditions have worsened, with their concrete tank water becoming increasingly polluted and green algae infesting the area. Despite minimal care and human interaction provided by a small staff, Wikie and Keijo have been forgotten by the crowds they once entertained. Meanwhile, 12 bottlenose dolphins in a nearby tank are also at risk as the park continues to decay.
Efforts by the Cetacean advocacy group TideBreakers urge the French government to intervene and rescue the animals before it’s too late. Following years of campaigning by animal welfare organizations like PETA, the closure of Marineland was mandated in 2021, banning entertainment shows involving whales, dolphins, and porpoises and setting a relocation deadline of December 2026.
However, the government has rejected relocation proposals for the orcas, including transfers to a marine zoo in Japan or a proposed whale sanctuary in Canada. Plans to move the animals to Loro Parque in Tenerife were also dismissed due to inadequate tank conditions. The French Ministry of Ecology is actively seeking alternatives, while discussions with other European countries aim to secure a suitable solution for the orcas and dolphins.
TideBreakers warn that unless swift action is taken, Wikie and Keijo may not survive much longer in their current distressing environment. Wikie, who turned 24 in June, has endured tragic losses, including the deaths of her son Moana and brother Inouk. Advocates emphasize the urgency of relocating the orcas to a clean and safe habitat where they can live out their lives in better conditions.
In a positive development, the French government recently announced plans to transfer Wikie and Keijo to a proposed sanctuary in Nova Scotia, Canada, operated by the Whale Sanctuary Project. This decision, pending Marineland’s approval, signifies a crucial step toward providing these intelligent creatures with a more natural and spacious home. Described as the most ethical and compliant option for animal welfare, the sanctuary is poised to welcome the orcas, potentially by summer 2026, as endorsed by PETA.