Two Orcas & 12 Dolphins Abandoned in Algae-Infested Pool Months After French Marine Park Closure
In the shadow of the French Riviera, behind the gates of a once-bustling tourist attraction, two orcas and twelve dolphins are swimming endless circles in concrete tanks. Their home, Marineland Antibes, officially closed to the public in early 2024 after the French government banned the breeding and public display of marine mammals. But while the applause has stopped, the animals remain—isolated in deteriorating enclosures, with no clear plan for what comes next.
Who Are the Orcas?
The park’s most famous resident is Wikie, a 22-year-old female orca born in captivity. She made international headlines in 2018 when she mimicked human words like “hello” and “bye bye” in a scientific experiment. Today, her world has shrunk to a shallow, manmade pool—and her only consistent companion is her 11-year-old son, Keijo, also born at Marineland.
These orcas have never experienced the open ocean. In the wild, orcas swim over 40 miles a day, hunt cooperatively in pods, and communicate using complex dialects. In captivity, they are deprived of those natural behaviors, leading to boredom, stress, and abnormal repetitive actions known as stereotypies—such as swimming in tight circles or repeatedly rubbing against tank walls.
Footage captured recently by the animal protection group TideBreakers shows just that: Keijo and Wikie looping through cloudy, algae-filled water, while peeling paint and rusted infrastructure decay around them.
Why Are They Still There?
France passed a law in 2021 prohibiting marine mammal performances and the breeding of cetaceans in captivity. This law effectively outlawed dolphin and orca shows and required parks to rehome their animals by December 2026. However, transferring orcas—especially ones born in captivity—is complex.
Efforts to send Wikie and Keijo to other marine parks in Spain or Japan were blocked by France’s Ministry of Ecology. At the same time, no orca sanctuaries exist in Europe. This has left the animals in a legal and logistical limbo: they can’t stay, but they have nowhere to go.
The twelve bottlenose dolphins at Marineland are in a similar predicament. Although dolphins have been more successfully relocated to sanctuaries and other facilities in the past, the closure of Marineland has sparked concern over the quality of their ongoing care. Animal welfare groups say the staff has been significantly reduced, and enrichment and stimulation for the dolphins is reportedly minimal.
What’s Next? A Race Against Time
The deadline to move the animals is approaching fast. But as the tanks degrade and the orcas show signs of psychological distress, many animal advocates worry that a lack of action could have deadly consequences—including the possibility that the orcas may be euthanized if no alternative is found.
That possibility is not unfounded. In past situations where large marine mammals could not be relocated, euthanasia was quietly considered—an outcome that experts and activists are desperate to prevent.
A Potential Lifeline in Canada
One glimmer of hope lies nearly 5,000 kilometers away, off the coast of Nova Scotia. The Whale Sanctuary Project, a nonprofit based in the United States, has been working for years to build the world’s first seaside sanctuary for retired captive whales.
The proposed sanctuary would offer a massive, netted-off section of ocean—more than 100 acres in size—where animals like Wikie and Keijo could swim, dive, and live out the rest of their lives in a semi-wild environment. The water is colder, but the sanctuary team has confirmed it could accommodate the French orcas and has even proposed a temporary holding site until the main sanctuary is completed.
Sanctuary founder Charles Vinick has stated publicly that they are ready and willing to help. What’s missing is a firm agreement from French authorities and Marineland.
Why It Matters
This case is about more than two orcas and twelve dolphins. It represents a global crossroads in how humans treat highly intelligent, social marine mammals who have spent their entire lives in captivity.
For decades, orcas and dolphins have been the stars of marine shows across the world. But growing scientific understanding—and public backlash—has led many countries to change course. Canada banned cetacean captivity in 2019. France has followed suit. The United States is under mounting pressure to do the same.
But closing the doors is only half the story. What happens to the animals already inside? For Wikie, Keijo, and their dolphin companions, the answer remains uncertain. But their time is running out.
How You Can Help
1. Support the Whale Sanctuary Project
This organization has the expertise, infrastructure, and space to care for whales retired from captivity. Your donations directly support the creation and operation of a permanent seaside home for animals like Wikie and Keijo.
Learn more or make a contribution at whalesanctuaryproject.org
2. Contact French Officials
Reach out to decision-makers in France and respectfully urge them to authorize the relocation of these animals to sanctuary.
3. Raise Awareness on Social Media
Educating others is one of the most effective ways to drive change. Share accurate information, news articles, and updates using hashtags such as #FreeWikie, #SanctuaryNow, and #EmptyTheTanks. You can also tag relevant government accounts or media outlets to amplify the message.
4. Sign and Share Verified Petitions
Look for petitions organized by reputable animal welfare organizations that advocate for the transfer of captive marine mammals to sanctuaries. Every signature helps demonstrate public interest and concern.
5. Stay Informed and Keep the Conversation Going
Change doesn’t happen overnight. The more we talk about the realities of marine mammal captivity—and the alternatives that now exist—the more likely it is that governments and facilities will act.
