Mobilisation in Paris for the Orcas: Press Release
One Voice is organising a symbolic protest in Paris on Monday 13 April to denounce a decision currently being made behind the scenes: the transfer of Wikie and Keijo to the worst possible place of captivity, in Spain. Pending an official statement, on Tuesday during a hearing, the Minister for Ecological Transition clarified his pro-Loro Parque stance, going back on his initial position.
This Monday 13 April, One Voice is organising an information and leafleting campaign outside the Ministry for Ecological Transition. An ecological transition that raises questions regarding the State’s handling of the future of the two orcas – Wikie and Keijo – and twelve dolphins at Marineland.
Whilst the government’s announcement regarding the future of the cetaceans is expected in the coming days, a hearing of the Minister for Ecological Transition, Mathieu Lefèvre, by the Senate’s Economic Affairs Committee set the tone. His stance reinforces One Voice’s analysis. The law of 2021 banning the captivity and breeding of cetaceans on French territory has been trampled underfoot. France is doing an about-turn and going against the stance of other European countries by now adopting a pro-captivity rhetoric.
A non-exhaustive selection from his remarks:
“The pools endanger the orcas’ lives every day.” This is despite the fact that, a year ago, two independent legal experts wrote that the condition of the pools was good, and that work has been carried out in recent months to make them safer.
“These animals are not the property of the French state; they are the property of Marineland.” Whilst Parques Unidos is indeed the “owner” of the orcas, their transfer is nevertheless subject to authorisation and requires inter-country permits. It should be recalled that in November 2024, the French government opposed the transfer of the orcas to Japan, and that in April 2025, Spain refused the transfer of Wikie and Keijo to Loro Parque, deeming conditions at the dolphinarium in Tenerife to be too poor. Proof that states have a say in the future of wild animals who are protected by international regulations.
“There is no such thing as a magical sanctuary.” The option of a sanctuary in Nova Scotia was, however, approved by the Ministry for Ecological Transition last December, with the minister announcing it across all media. Moreover, €3 million have just been injected into this project, and work has begun. A sanctuary has recently opened in Italy, a country that has put its words into action, taking responsibility for the cetaceans held there. Sanctuaries are not mirages but the only viable alternative to free dolphins and orcas from exploitation in dolphinariums.
Enough of the manoeuvring and lies!
One Voice refuses to let this decision be made behind closed doors and will continue to take action at every level to prevent it: on the streets, outside institutions, and through all necessary legal channels. Pressure from citizens, the media and politicians is now more essential than ever.