Killer Whales Left Behind at Marineland

It’s been over four months since Marineland, a marine park located in southern France, announced its closure. Yet, two killer whales and a dolphin remain stuck there.

An animal advocacy group, Tidebreakers, recently shared distressing aerial footage showing Orca – Wiki, 23, and her son, Keiho, 11, swimming in their abandoned tank near Cannes, France.

According to reports, activists are working urgently to rescue these animals from what they describe as “dangerous” and “desperate” conditions.

“The mother and son are still trapped there, awaiting their fate in a crumbling tank,” the Tidebreakers posted alongside the video on May 11.

The park, located about 45 kilometers from Monaco, is also home to twelve dolphins that have been abandoned due to deteriorating conditions.

Mareta Schusterova, co-founder of Tidebreakers, emphasizes the need for immediate global action regarding the situation at Marineland.

“These are the last two orcas in captivity in France and should be relocated quickly,” Schusterova stated.

He expressed concern that Orcas must be removed from environments that jeopardize their health and well-being. Since Wiki and Keiho were born in captivity, they likely would not survive if released into the wild.

Marineland was officially closed on January 5, following French legislation enacted in 2021 that banned performances involving marine mammals for entertainment purposes. Two orcas and a dozen dolphins were left behind after the closure.

Since then, the park’s management is desperately trying to find suitable homes for these animals, particularly the killer whales.

While the facility is no longer functioning as a zoo, it remains responsible for the welfare of the animals, with a small staff caring for them until they can be relocated.

Despite the bleak situation, French authorities have turned down alternative options, such as Japanese marine zoos, and have not secured a new location for the orcas.

A proposal to transfer the whales to a sanctuary in Tenerife, Spain, was also rejected, as that facility currently houses four orcas, including newborns.

After dismissing options in Japan, the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia is being considered as a possible destination for the mother and son duo.

For now, a small team is providing care, but critics argue that this minimal interaction offers little mental stimulation for the orcas.