Concerns Raised Over Marineland Orcas’ Possible Move To SeaWorld Florida
Marineland Update:
The Born Free Foundation expressed serious concerns yesterday about the future of the orcas and dolphins at Marineland Antibes, stating:
“Born Free is deeply concerned to hear that Marineland is reportedly considering sending Wikie and her son Keijo, the two orcas currently housed at their facility in Antibes, France, across the ocean to SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, where they would continue to live in tiny tanks and be exploited for profit.
“The future of the orcas, and twelve bottlenose dolphins housed alongside them, has been uncertain since Marineland Antibes shut its doors to visitors a year ago in response to a French law banning orca and dolphin shows and ending the keeping of cetaceans in commercial captive facilities in the country.
“Born Free urges Marineland to uphold the spirit of the French law and focus on securing genuine sanctuary care for all the remaining animals at Antibes, where they can live out their lives in safety and comfort.”
The message is clear: these animals deserve freedom, dignity, and true sanctuary—not a lifetime in tanks.
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Disturbing footage captured on May 7 by TideBreakers reveals severe neglect of two orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, along with 12 dolphins at the closed Marineland Antibes in France. The animals are seen languishing in algae-infested tanks, and their visible neglect has sparked urgent calls for action.
In Defense of Animals is demanding immediate intervention from French authorities, including the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP), the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, and the Mayor of Antibes, Jean Leonetti. French law obligates these authorities to prevent animal cruelty and neglect, failure to act may constitute legal violations.
“Forcing an animal to suffer in filth is a criminal offense,” said Fleur Dawes, Communications Director at In Defense of Animals. “French authorities must either force Parques Reunidos to provide immediate care or seize the animals now — Wikie, Keijo, and 12 dolphins could die of neglect in these appalling conditions.”
Under Article L215-11 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code, professionals responsible for unnecessary mistreatment of animals can face up to one year in prison and a €15,000 fine. Article 521-1 of the Penal Code provides for up to three years in prison and a €45,000 fine for cruelty to a captive animal, or five years and €75,000 if the animal dies.
Marineland Antibes, owned by Spanish leisure park operator Parques Reunidos, closed in January 2025, a year before France’s 2026 ban on cetacean shows takes full effect. Yet the park laid off staff and left the animals trapped in deteriorating conditions at the shuttered facility.
In April, Spain declared Loro Parque in the Canary Islands unfit for the orcas to be moved to, citing unacceptable conditions at the entertainment center owned by German entrepreneur Wolfgang Kiessling. Spain’s scientific panel concluded that Loro Parque’s facilities “do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of surface area, volume, and depth necessary to house the specimens in optimal conditions.” This official assessment reinforces widespread animal welfare concerns about Loro Parque, where orcas have been documented with broken teeth, rake marks, and behavioral abnormalities.
In Defense of Animals is calling on the French government to act in accordance with its own animal protection laws to save Wikie, Keijo, and the 12 dolphins suffering at Marineland Antibes.
