The plight of the last two captive orcas in France, Wikie and Keijo, raises profound questions about animal welfare and the responsibilities of marine parks following legislative changes aimed at ceasing cetacean shows. In January 2025, Marineland Antibes, Europe's largest marine park, shut its doors under new laws prohibiting the display of marine mammals, leaving these orcas and numerous other animals in dire circumstances.
At 23 years old, Wikie and her 11-year-old son, Keijo, find themselves confined to a deteriorating enclosure, devoid of the mental stimulation essential for their well-being as social creatures. According to reports, the pair swims listlessly in a pool marred by green algae, highlighting the neglect now characterising the once-thriving park. Activist group Tidebreakers captured distressing aerial footage revealing not only the unclean conditions of their enclosure but also an adjacent tank that languishes in murky water—a stark reminder of the animals' deteriorating habitat.
Despite the park's closure, a minimal skeleton crew continues to provide basic sustenance for Wikie, Keijo, and 12 stranded bottlenose dolphins, adhering to the legal obligations of animal care yet forsaking the mental enrichment critical for orcas, known for their intricate social structures. The company has stressed the urgency of finding alternative housing for these animals, declaring a pressing need for their relocation.
Marketa Schusterova, co-founder of Tidebreakers, expressed serious concerns about the encroaching risks to the orcas' health due to their current environment. Both Wikie and Keijo have experienced the tragic loss of family members in recent years. In 2023, Moana, an orca in their pod, died unexpectedly, followed by Inouk, who perished due to severe dental problems exacerbated by neglect. "We know that it's not being cleaned, it's falling apart," Schusterova lamented, pointing to the ever-deteriorating conditions that could hasten health issues for the endangered duo.
Potential relocation plans have seen a plethora of legal and administrative hurdles. Initially considered was a transfer to Loro Parque in Tenerife, which currently houses four orcas. However, this proposal was blocked by a panel citing a lack of adequate conditions necessary for the animals, as well as ongoing protests from animal rights advocates. Compounding these challenges, a similar initiative to move them to a marine park in Japan was also rejected, largely because of serious concerns surrounding animal welfare regulations in the locale.
In contrast, French Ecology Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher has expressed strong support for relocating the orcas to a sanctuary in Europe, yet as of now, no suitable option has been located. Activists have suggested an alternative sanctuary in Nova Scotia, Canada, which offers a massive, protected bay—but whether this will materialise remains uncertain. The Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) has claimed it is the only remaining viable option, asserting their site could provide a more natural habitat compared to captivity. Nevertheless, some activists are sceptical, warning that the WSP project is not yet operational and could lead to tragic outcomes for Wikie and Keijo if immediate action is not taken.
While the urgent need for a compassionate resolution grows, a comprehensive plan—including temporary holding facilities tailored to orca needs—has been proposed by advocates. As Marketa Schusterova pointed out, "if Wikie and Keijo are left in these conditions, they're going to get sick and die." With orcas capable of living for decades in the wild, the continued neglect of these sea creatures is not just morally troubling—it is an indictment of the systems that allow such suffering to persist.
As discussions surrounding their future unfold, the fate of Wikie and Keijo, emblematic of broader issues within marine conservation and captivity, underscores the urgent necessity for effective legislative frameworks and robust sanctuaries that prioritise animal welfare over entertainment. Their story is not merely one of survival but a call for accountability in the treatment of intelligent, social beings.
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Source: Noah Wire Services