Spanish refusal to transfer orcas from Marineland, a strong signal to end captivity
On Thursday April 10, 2025, the Spanish authorities definitively refused to transfer the orcas from Antibes Marineland to Loro Parque. A salutary decision, the fruit of a long campaign.
Marineland was planning to move Wikie, Keijo and several other animals to dolphinariums with dubious reputations, without openly communicating the date of the transfer. Thanks to a field survey and diplomatic pressure, One Voice helped to prevent the transfer from taking place. This setback should mark a turning point. Marineland’s cetaceans must never again experience the hell of the tanks.
One Voice is calling for them to be placed in sanctuaries.
A categorical refusal that brings about major change
Since the passing of the 2021 law banning cetacean shows from the end of 2026 – and even though this law provides the captivity industry with numerous loopholes to evade it – Marineland, now closed to the public, has been desperate to part with the animals and its most profitable loss leaders: orcas. The solutions proposed, notably their transfer to dolphinariums with dubious reputations, only lengthens their captivity in increasingly cramped tanks. The Spanish refusal marks a decisive turning point.
For years – and increasingly so in recent months – Marineland had been pressuring the government with sickening job blackmail, shamelessly lying to its staff, the authorities and the public alike. Nothing in the law prevented Marineland from keeping orcas and keepers on site, apart from a lack of profitability that was becoming increasingly apparent in the Antibes stands. This awareness has been accelerated by the continuous work of animal rights activists, who are raising awareness of the suffering of captive and trained cetaceans.
Secret preparations, imminent departure
Since the beginning of the month – and even more so since the end of the judicial expert assessment obtained by One Voice, which prevented the departure of Wikie and Keijo – we have been closely following the intensive preparations put in place by the Côte d’Azur dolphinarium, determined to get rid of Marineland’s orcas, dolphins, sea lions, flamingos, sharks and turtles as quickly as possible.
Over a period of ten days, training, moving, opening passages and pruning trees were observed.
The dismantling of the Lagoon arch was completed in one morning. The orcas’ medical tank was largely emptied while they were inside, then refilled in preparation for their transfer. Similarly, the keepers rubbed the fabric of the lifting stretcher on the orcas’ skin during their meals, to get them used to its contact.
On the evening of Wednesday April 9, after the departure of several sea lions and the opening of the access to the Lagon basin, where most of the dolphins are located, two heavy goods vehicles parked in the park. The following morning, at around 8am, a truck equipped with a telescopic arm docked on the ground near the orca basin and removed from the trucks the transport crates for Wikie and her son. By 11am, the operation was complete. Everything was in place for the imminent departure of the orcas, dolphins and Fox, the Steller sea lion.
Transfer list revealed
Sharky (the darkest dolphin in the show tank) and Malou (the young mother), originally from the wild, were to remain in Europe. They were to be sent to Loro Parque (Spain), accompanied by the orcas Wikie and Keijo, and Fox, the large male Steller sea lion.
Tex, Anya, Joey, Neo and Kay, the dolphins from the Lagoon Basin – who had already been transferred from Spain (Madrid or Valencia) – were to make a stopover at Madrid Zoo, before heading for Hainan, China. Malou’s daughter, along with the other dolphins from the show tank, were to accompany them.
Spain says no to confinement
In a welcome turn of events, salvation came from an unexpected source: the Spanish health authorities. After we had alerted to the dangers that the arrival of two potentially sick French orcas – sharing the same water and forced interactions – would represent for Morgan’s baby, just born at Loro Parque, Spain vetoed the move. By 8pm on Thursday evening, the transfer of the orcas and dolphins was definitively blocked.
The French Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, has naturally asked Parques Reunidos, Marineland’s owner, to ensure continuity of care. This is excellent news, but far from sufficient. A concrete and humane plan, with funding and a strong political commitment, is essential.
We reiterate our proposal to bring competent staff to the basins to care for the two orcas. The judicial expert assessment we have obtained has demonstrated the absence of appropriate care, which must be remedied as a matter of urgency to prevent Wikie and Keijo from continuing to suffer with mortal risks.
Sanctuaries, not tanks
Once again, One Voice calls on the French authorities to accept their responsibilities. Marineland’s orcas and dolphins must not be sent to other aquatic prisons. The Minister must not go back on her commitment not to accept the sending of Wikie and Keijo to Asia.
Any solution other than endless exploitation must now be considered.
They deserve to be transferred to suitable sanctuaries currently being created, whether in Nova Scotia or elsewhere. The Lipsi sanctuary in Greece – a long-standing One Voice partner for welcoming the Marineland dolphins – is a case in point.
These sanctuaries, although delimited by nets fixed to the seabed, offer direct contact with the sea, a natural environment, and the chance to learn to live without stress and deprivation. Semi-liberty, close to the open sea, without training, where veterinary care and food are provided by competent professionals.
We demand that France seize this opportunity to turn the page on an era when cetacean captivity was tolerated. It’s time to act so that Wikie, Keijo and the others have not suffered in vain. One Voice remains vigilant and will continue to fight for the well-being of Marineland’s cetaceans, calling for solutions that respect their dignity and freedom.
This Spanish refusal causes a breach in the closed system of captivity. It’s time for France to accept its responsibilities: no cetacean should be returned to a tank. One Voice is calling for them to be placed in suitable sanctuaries in Europe or Canada, where they can finally regain a semblance of freedom. We call on the public to sign our petition for Marineland’s orcas.