Pregnant or ill? Wikie's worrying weight gain at Marineland
Since the captivity lobby confirmed the imminent departure of Wikie and Keijo to the Tenerife dolphinarium, the days have gone by with their share of news, both good (Agnès Pannier-Runacher’s mobilization for a dolphin sanctuary in Europe) and bad (the filing of permit applications to export the dolphins).
We are sending the Minister of Ecological Transition the factual and legal elements opposing this departure towards endless exploitation.
On this occasion, we also reveal Wikie’s strong weight gain in recent months – noticed by several observers, including Tilikum Spirit and whistle-blowers – and question her team about the reasons for it.
Is it an ongoing pregnancy? Until now, Wikie had never gained weight during the park’s annual closures. The only occasions when this had been observed were her previous pregnancies. Orcas’ gestation lasts 17 to 18 months, so the father could be Keijo, but it could also be her brother Inouk, or his other deceased son Moana. There is also the possibility of artificial insemination, or a health problem…
Has the government done what is necessary to ensure that Wikie and Keijo would be able to survive the planned trip? What would be the departure date? For the time being, the independent expert assessment we obtained in court has not been completed, and it prohibits any transfer.
So many unanswered questions. The future of the last two “French” orcas is at stake, and we’re doing everything we can for them.
We’ll be out in front of Marineland in Antibes again this Saturday, February 15. And we are in contact with our partners in Tenerife to take action in front of Loro Parque. We will remain extremely vigilant, in coordination with our French and Mediterranean partners.
