Orcas and Dolphins Left Behind at Closed French Marine Park Spark Outcry

Antibes, France — May 16, 2025

Two orcas and twelve dolphins are still trapped inside the shuttered Marineland Antibes marine park in southern France, months after its closure, raising serious concerns from animal welfare groups around the world.

The orcas, Wikie (24 years old) and her son Keijo (11), along with a dozen bottlenose dolphins, have been kept in tanks since the park officially shut down in January 2025. Their future remains uncertain, as no approved relocation plan has yet been finalized.

Marineland, once Europe’s largest marine park, closed in response to a French law passed in 2021 that bans the use of whales and dolphins in shows. The law is set to be fully enforced by the end of 2026, but with visitor numbers dropping and legal pressure mounting, the park closed its doors early.

Relocation efforts have been unsuccessful so far. A proposed transfer to a zoo in Spain was denied by authorities, and a potential move to Japan fell through due to backlash over welfare concerns. Some advocates have pushed for the animals to be relocated to marine sanctuaries, including one under development in Nova Scotia, Canada, where they would have more natural space and care.

Recent drone footage released by animal protection groups shows the orcas swimming in cloudy, algae-covered water, sparking renewed calls for action. Activists and marine biologists say the animals’ health may be deteriorating in the small, artificial tanks now being poorly maintained.

Despite mounting international attention, French officials have yet to authorize a new relocation plan, citing health and safety risks involved in long-distance transport. Meanwhile, pressure continues to grow for the government to find a compassionate solution before conditions worsen further.

The fate of Wikie, Keijo, and the dolphins hangs in the balance, as experts and activists stress that time is running out to move them to a better environment.