Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Confined within the walls of a defunct marine park, two orcas and a dozen dolphins endure unsettling conditions, raising concerns among animal advocates. These majestic marine creatures have been stranded at Marineland Antibes, a French oceanarium near Cannes, since its closure four months prior, spurring calls for urgent intervention. The future for these orcas and dolphins in captivity is hanging in the balance.
Disturbing Conditions at Marineland Antibes
Drone footage captured by the animal rights group TideBreakers exposes the distressing reality inside the abandoned facility. The footage reveals Wikie, a 23-year-old orca, and her 11-year-old son, Keijo, listlessly circling their enclosures. Adding to the grim scene are the algae-covered pools housing the remaining dolphins.
Plight of Orcas and Dolphins
Despite their obvious distress, authorities in France have not yet found a suitable sanctuary within Europe for the orcas, and have declined offers to relocate them to a marine zoo in Japan. Marketa Schusterova, TideBreakers co-founder, emphasized the critical nature of the situation: ‘The conditions at Marineland Antibes demand immediate global attention. These are France’s last two captive orcas, and their swift relocation is paramount. We must move the captive orcas from hazardous environments posing grave threats to their well-being.’
Two orcas and 12 dolphins have been stuck in bleak living conditions in an abandoned marine park since January.
The majestic creatures remain confined in Marineland Antibes, a French marine park near Cannes that shut its doors four months ago.
But despite their despairing condition, French authorities have yet to identify a suitable site in Europe for the orcas.
Closure and Responsibility
Marineland Antibes ceased operations on January 5, complying with a 2021 French government mandate prohibiting shows featuring cetaceans. The park’s management is currently exploring various resettlement options, particularly for the orcas. While no longer functioning as a marine zoo, Marineland remains legally obliged to ensure the animals’ welfare until suitable new homes are identified. Born in captivity, the rescued orcas cannot be released into the wild.
Challenges in Rehoming
A minimal staff provides essential feeding to meet legal requirements, but lacks the resources for mental stimulation crucial for social creatures like orcas. The French government intervened to block potential relocations to a marine zoo in Japan and a whale sanctuary in Canada. WSP President Lori Marino maintained that their Nova Scotia site was ‘the sole remaining viable option’.
French Ecology Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher stated in February the search was on for a European sanctuary. But Marino countered, ‘Without a location, developing a functional sanctuary will take years.’
The marine park closed on January 5, citing legislation banning shows featuring cetaceans such as dolphins and whales.
Though Marineland has closed as a marine zoo business, they are still legally responsible for the welfare of the animals until they are rehomed.
Limited Options for the Orcas
The government cited travel concerns as the reason to rule out the proposed new homes. While Spanish authorities rejected a relocation agreement with Loro Parque in Tenerife, the options for the stranded orcas dwindle.
- Lack of Foresight: Marketa voiced discontent with the deficient planning and gross mismanagement by Parque Reunidos, Marineland’s owner, and the silence of authorities.
- No Release Option: As the orcas were born in captivity, releasing them into the wild is impossible.
- Ethical Considerations: ‘After entertaining the public for years’, Marketa stated, ‘we should guarantee them a secure and hygienic setting for their remaining years’.