The closure of Marineland Antibes due to new animal welfare laws has left the future of two captive orcas, Wikie and Keijo, in limbo. As campaigners push for a sanctuary offering a more natural environment, debate intensifies over their relocation options amid fears of poor treatment in traditional marine zoos.
Uncertain Future for Two Captive Orcas as Marineland Antibes Closes
Uncertain Future for Two Captive Orcas as Marineland Antibes Closes
Closure of France's largest marine zoo raises concerns over welfare and relocation of killer whales Wikie and Keijo.
The fate of Wikie and Keijo, two orca whales, hangs in the balance following the closure of Marineland Antibes, France’s largest marine zoo, which shut its doors permanently on January 5 due to new regulations banning the use of dolphins and whales in entertainment shows. The legislation, passed in 2021, has prompted campaigners and the zoo's management to clash over the appropriate next steps for the orcas, which have spent their entire lives in captivity.
Born into captivity, Wikie, aged 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo are well-known in the marine park, which claims that orca performances draw 90% of its visitors. Yet, with the closure of Marineland, alternative locations for them are being debated, resulting in a fraught situation. Proposals have included sending them to marine facilities in Japan, which activists vehemently oppose due to concerns over animal welfare standards and the stress of long-distance travel.
Experts express skepticism about releasing the orcas into the wild as they lack the survival skills necessary for life outside captivity. Hanne Strager, a marine biologist, compared the concept to abandoning a domesticated dog in the wild, emphasizing the animals' deep social bonds with their human caregivers.
Animal welfare advocates assert that the orcas should be relocated to a sanctuary instead, with organizations such as the Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) advocating for a protected bay in Nova Scotia where both whales could thrive. Community support for the sanctuary is crucial, as it would provide a natural environment with human assistance while distancing the orcas from the entertainment industry.
Also expressed are concerns about potential relocation to Loro Parque in the Canary Islands, a facility that campaigns worry would continue the cycle of captivity, despite it complying with European welfare standards. This sentiment reverberates through various activist channels, with many recognizing that a direct transition to another marine zoo would result in emotional and psychological toll on the orcas.
Past initiatives reinforce the importance of ensuring a transition that accounts for the orcas' need for social connections, proper care, and a safe environment reflective of natural settings. Strager cautions that a sanctuary may still present challenges, highlighting an unanswered question about how the orcas would adapt to life outside their familiar confines.
The closure of Marineland also reflects a broader shift in public perception regarding the ethics of keeping marine mammals for entertainment, influenced significantly by documentaries like Blackfish. As societal views evolve, the fate of Wikie and Keijo will remain pivotal in ongoing discussions about marine animal welfare and rights.
