This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

UPDATED on May 1, 2025, to reflect the good news that authories in Spain have blocked the transfer to Loro Parque.

Marineland Antibes in France has closed, but two orca lives are in danger. The French government was petitioned to allow the orcas to be transferred to a sanctuary in Canada, but the bid was rejected. Demand the French government reconsider and allow these orcas to go to a sanctuary!

On January 5, 2025, Marineland Antibes closed its doors for good. The marine park cited a law passed by the French government that bans shows featuring whales and dolphins as the reason it decided to shut down. This is great news for those fighting to end the exploitation of marine animals. However, the fate of the two orcas residing there hangs in the balance. The Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, Canada submitted an application for the French government to allow the orcas to be transferred to the sanctuary but it was recently rejected.

Wikie, 23, and her son Keijo, 11, are currently being held at Marineland Antibes until the company decides where to move them. Several animal rights groups responded with uproar when it was announced that Marineland Antibes planned to send the two orcas to a marine park in Japan. The groups cited the fact that Japan does not have the same laws concerning animal welfare as European countries, therefore, the move would threaten Wikie and Keijo's well-being. The French government stepped in and published a report stating that moving the orcas to a sanctuary in Canada or sending them to the marine park, Loro Parque, in the Spanish Canary Islands were the only two acceptable options. However, the Whale Sanctuary Project recently announced that the French government had rejected its application. After that rejection, it was assumed the whales would be transferred to Loro Parque. However, Spanish authorities blocked the transfer, leaving the futures of Wikie and Keijo uncertain.

Loro Parque is infamous for the mistreatment of its animals. Orcas residing at Loro Parque have been seen covered with rake marks from aggressive tank mates, with missing and broken teeth, isolated in tiny tanks, and exhibiting atypical behaviors like floating motionless at the surface and biting the sides of their tanks out of frustration and boredom. Wikie and Keijo could have been separated for breeding, disrupting the very strong familial bond orcas form. They would have also likely been subjected to performing in shows, which goes against the purpose of the French bill banning these types of shows. Thanks to the Spanish authorities, this will not be Wikie and Keijo's futures.

The Whale Sanctuary Project announced that the French government rejected its application without much reasoning except that it was reviewed by a scientific panel. “Not one member of this panel ever reached out to us to discuss any concerns they might have had,” Lori Marino, President of The Whale Sanctuary Project, said in a statement. “So, we cannot help but question why the Ministry would reject the relocation of Wikie and Keijo to a natural seaside sanctuary without discussing any of this panel's concerns with us.”

The Whale Sanctuary Project has said it is willing to work with Marineland Antibes and the French government to bring the two orcas to Canada and give them a happier life where they can express their natural behaviors while continuing to get care from humans for the remainder of their lives. At the Whale Sanctuary Project, they would no longer be made to perform and would be able to experience their natural habitat in the ocean. The sanctuary can offer these orcas over 100 acres of water space with depths up to 18 meters. After years of exploitation, living in a sanctuary is what Wikie and Keijo deserve.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Transférez les orques Wikie et Keijo dans un Sanctuaire ! / Retire Orcas Wikie and Keijo to a Sanctuary!

(*English below)

En tant que personne profondément attachée au bien-être de tous les animaux, je vous écris pour vous demander de reconsidérer votre refus et de permettre aux orques Wikie et Keijo d'être transférées au Sanctuaire des Baleines (Whales Sanctuary) en Nouvelle-Écosse, au Canada. 

Les orques souffrent énormément en captivité, subissant de nombreuses complications de santé et luttant contre la frustration et l'ennui. Elles sont souvent séparées des membres de leur famille, brisant ainsi leurs liens familiaux et leur liens familiaux et leur causant d’immenses souffrances.

Il est extrêmement décevant que vous ayez choisi de les envoyer à Loro Parque. Les orques qui y résident ont été observées avec des marques de râteau laissées par des compagnons de bassin agressifs, des dents cassées ou manquantes, isolées dans de minuscules bassins, et présentant des comportements atypiques comme flotter immobiles à la surface. Ce n’est pas l’avenir que Wikie et Keijo méritent.

Le Sanctuaire des baleines est le meilleur endroit pour qu'elles puissent vivre le reste de leur vie. Elles disposeront ainsi d'un vaste espace aquatique en bord de mer où elles pourront  pleinement exprimer leurs comportements naturels tout en continuant à recevoir des soins humains.

S’il vous plaît, permettez au Sanctuaire des Baleines de devenir le nouveau foyer de Wikie et de Keijo. Elles ont souffert toute leur vie dans un bassin en béton et il est temps pour elles de vivre dans un environnement naturel tout en recevant les soins dont elles ont besoin.

Je vous remercie de votre temps et de l'attention que vous portez à cette cause   importante

** ENGLISH

As someone who cares deeply about the welfare of all animals, I am writing to ask that you reconsider your rejection of an application to allow orcas Wikie and Keijo to be moved to the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Orcas struggle extensively in captivity experiencing numerous health complications and struggle with frustration and boredom. They are often separated from family members breaking family bonds and causing orcas immense suffering.

I am thankful that the transfer to Loro Parque has been blocked as a depressing future at another marine park is not what Wikie and Keijo deserve. Orcas residing there have been seen covered with rake marks from aggressive tank mates, with missing and broken teeth, isolated in tiny tanks, and exhibiting atypical behaviors like floating motionless at the surface. This is not the future Wikie and Keijo deserve.

Now that the transfer to Loro Parque has been rejected, it is imperative that you reconsider sending them to The Whale Sanctuary Project or another sanctuary option. The Whale Sanctuary Project’s sanctuary is the best place for them to live out the rest of their lives. They will have plenty of seaside water space where they can fully express their natural behaviors while continuing to be cared for by humans.

Please allow the Whale Sanctuary Project to become the new home for Wikie and Keijo. They have suffered their entire lives in a concrete tank and it’s time for them to be in a natural environment while getting the care they need.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.