Not Japan, nor Dubai, nor another park, but a sanctuary for the orcas and dolphins at Marineland Antibes!

Risking everything for Inouk, Moana, Wikie, and Keijo

There is no longer a minute to lose. And yes, at no time have we skimped on the means used; more than ever we are increasing them tenfold. Following consistent information on the next departure of orcas and dolphins from the marine park from the Côte d’Azur to somewhere even worse than what they have already experienced, we are writing to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the Alpes-Maritime Prefecture, Marineland, and its owner, Parques Reunidos.

We are therefore committing in concrete terms to a dialogue with authorities and the park owners, at the same time as a power struggle, because it is not yet too late for the cetaceans being kept captive at Parques Reunidos in France.

A duty to set an example for animals and future generations

The orcas kept at Marineland are young; there is still time to repair all the harm done to them by the captivity industry in particular, which was fuelled, and continues to be, like a voracious monster that is never satisfied in seas across the world, or by humanity in general.

We must raise our expectations when it comes to ourselves and our peers. Let’s try to learn from our mistakes and do all we can to rectify them, instead of adding yet more to the long list of deaths of these individuals exploited since their birth and for decades.

A tightly woven network of specialised partners surrounding ‘French’ orcas

Our friends and cetacean experts throughout the world are committing to lending us a hand now. They are ready, when the moment comes, to prepare them to be welcomed into marine sanctuaries under construction.

Thus, everyone takes on their part of the work alongside animal defenders. Including among those converted away from the captivity world. And incidentally the ‘keepers’, who are as close as possible to the animals every day, will be those who we will need not only to surround them during a transfer to a marine sanctuary, but also in their daily life, later.

Let’s ensure that the only family of captive orcas living together are not separated and sent to Japan. Let’s ensure that the dolphins are not sent to Dubai, which our sources have agreed is their destination: here they would be victims of endless exploitation. Both will be, even more than in France, in contact with clients, and thus exposed to disease and stress in even smaller pools, with no protective legislation.

After twenty years of fierce fighting against the captivity industry, it is essential for us that the last four orcas born and trained in the chlorinated waters of France can finally enjoy a dignified life and have some respite, which they have never experienced to this day. Our team of lawyers, comprised of Caroline Lanty, Coline Robert, and Andréa Rigal-Casta, is by our side to finish this fight. As long it is possible to take action, we will do so.

Translated from the French by Joely Justice