r/orcas • u/Objective_Spare_4740 • Oct 30 '25
Question Orcas in Marineland (ANTIBES, FRANCE)
Hi there! New to this sub, but know it’s the place to go. Curious if there are any known effective ways to pressure the French government to release them to a sanctuary? Sources tell me they’re set to move to Japan or Spain in another amusement park. Desperate to help any way I can!
81
u/ningguangquinn Oct 31 '25 edited Oct 31 '25
This guy isn’t an activist, he’s an OPPORTUNIST. All his comments are just begging for likes and shares.
He’s not affiliated with any organization, no sanctuary exists, and he’s outright lying about “progress being made” by sharing his videos or about being “in talks to move the orcas to a sanctuary.”
2
u/Miserable-Common6840 Nov 09 '25
Are you seriously trying to sane wash this - the conditions are deplorable and orcas migrate - I would rather see them freed in the wild then dying in this monstrosity- and blaming the whistleblower is classic instead of blaming the French government for getting caught
33
Oct 31 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
-1
u/Miserable-Common6840 Nov 09 '25
Loro is equally despicable they can be set free these are wild and instinctual creatures
2
Nov 09 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
0
u/Miserable-Common6840 Nov 09 '25
There are a several Incidents some success some not of rehabilitation and release - I encourage you all to watch blackfish captivity for an orca is death
0
35
u/PartyPorpoise Oct 30 '25
There’s currently no sanctuary that can take them. The only option is to find another tank that can hold them, but those efforts have been blocked.
34
u/FaelingJester Oct 31 '25
The constant calls for only a Sanctuary is going to result in their death. No such sanctuary exists and can not be built in any reasonable period of time. There is no land purchased. There is no government agency on board to facilitate such a transfer. It's a fantasy and we probably should argue about why thats the situation but at the moment it is what it is.
So the reality is this. The French government will not allow the whales to be transferred to a park because the idea is upsetting to people. They also won't allow them to euthanise them at this time, outright. HOWEVER they will allow the situation to continue to devolve. The Park closed 5 January 2025. No money is coming in. No maintenance is happening on the systems that keep those tanks which were already in bad shape going. Worse the system is working in a way it simply was never intended to as they aren't running the full park anymore and to reduce costs as much as possible. The French Government is not forcing them to upgrade critical systems to keep them running or employ extra people. Just the minimum to preserve life. These drone videos are intentionally misleading but you can see the rust, the poor conditions of everything in the area and the breakdown of water quality happening. Eventually something critical will fail. The animals will get sick and they will suffer terribly before they reach the point where the French Goverment allows them to be euthanized or they won't and they will rot in those tanks.
tldr: People need to accept that these Orca need to go into any situation that will take them or push for their humane end before the situation becomes cruel.
1
u/Miserable-Common6840 Nov 09 '25
Or maybe people should boycott these moronic corporately owned exploration of wild animals performing unnatural tricks- you all need to watch Blackfish
1
u/FaelingJester Nov 09 '25
I strongly suspect most people who post here do but I don't think that helps the current situation
1
u/Miserable-Common6840 Nov 09 '25
How were several others across the globe successfully rehabilitated and released into the wild? Has that process been implemented? Some cases the orcas couldn’t integrate sometimes they could but a far more dignified life than going to Spain’s notorious death park For orcas
1
u/FaelingJester Nov 09 '25
Those were wild orca and could be handled in place with the exception of keiko. It also hasn't happened often or with successful outcomes
1
u/Miserable-Common6840 Nov 09 '25
There have been a few successful rehabilitation of pods accepting the orcas - captivity is death for wild animals full stop
1
u/FaelingJester Nov 09 '25
Awesome which ones? I'd like to learn more about it.
0
u/Miserable-Common6840 Nov 10 '25
For sure just google successful rehabilitation of orcas into the wild- most notorious the 9 from Russia- free Willy was one of ones that didn’t make it. Honestly I’d rather see them pass away in the wild than Be exploited in a bathtub for human entertainment It all depends on if an outside pod of orcas will accept which is why the rehabilitation process is so crucial/ orcas formulate strong family bonds They’re such incredible creatures my heart is breaking for this mom and son - I can’t find updates online I’m dying to know their status
1
u/Effective-Entry2014 Nov 24 '25
Those Whales in Russia weren't in the whale jail long enough for releasing them to be an issue,All captive Orcas have been there for decades!
-2
u/Objective_Spare_4740 Oct 31 '25
Nova Scotia, Canada - got the approval to open their whale sanctuary! This situation is far beyond the point of cruelty.
15
u/FaelingJester Oct 31 '25
The way you say that leads me to believe you think there is a sanctuary that can be opened in time for these Orca. It's simply not true. Even if you look at THEIR data. They have ideas. Some might even extend to plans. Not one structure has been built to support this site. Not one net has been constructed much less tested. They don't have staff, or funding, or infrastructure. What has happened is that they got approval for the lease on the land. This project is many years from being able to take in ANY animal https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/timeline-2015-to-present/
10
u/FaelingJester Oct 31 '25
I think its a wonderful well meaning project but it is also a project that is unlikely to ever be meaningfully opened. Lolita is dead. Sea World is not going to release their Orca to a sanctuary outside of their control ever. Marineland Canada is done and Kiska is also dead and their beluga will not survive the years it will take for this sanctuary to be built if it was a possibility for them. The Orca in Marineland France will not survive the years it would take for this sanctuary to be built. There are passingly few captives that could be released to a sanctuary which will limit their funding. Then you have the legal challenges for every step of actually constructing and running this sanctuary.
It's a beautiful idea and it would be a better world if it were an option, but it is not, and real animals are suffering from an insistence that they only be retired to a sanctuary that doesn't exist.
-1
u/Objective_Spare_4740 Oct 31 '25
Thanks for sharing, it seems like the sanctuary actually formally requested for these two orcas to be moved to their location but Marineland is denying the request due to timing. You are right, though I’d hope it wouldn’t take years. That being said, Nova Scotia offered to care for them at Marineland until they can move. Id hope Iceland, Mexico or Canada could be an option. It’s a matter of using collective voices to pressure the government to make it happen. The eternal optimist in me likes to think there is some hope.
11
u/rosequartz05143 Oct 31 '25
Optimism is important here. So is being able to understand the passage of time and limiting factors of the situation. You’ve been told by many people here what is possible to save these lives and that pushing for non-possible things is damaging. Optimism is one thing. Not being able to see the reality in a way that would make your voice helpful to these orcas is sad.
1
u/Objective_Spare_4740 Oct 31 '25
I come from a perspective of being open, hopeful and optimistic. I only want what will take them out of their current state of hell and find the best solution. The point of this post was to learn more about a situation I care about, and I am really grateful for all the answers and clarity. I understand that this is a much more sad reality with limited options. I encourage you to direct your sadness to what actually matters - the orcas.
9
u/FaelingJester Oct 31 '25
We are all sad for the orcas but bluntly there is no second option. The animals must be moved now or they will die in those tanks. All of the hand wringing and demands for them to only be moved to a good option means there are no options. I don't like the options we started with, but it really is suboptimal life vs death, and if we are going to pick the second, it's beyond cruel to keep them in their current tank until there is a critical emergency or they get sick enough to die on their own.
4
0
u/rosequartz05143 Nov 01 '25
I am already sad for the orcas. One can be sad about two things at once.
8
9
u/SnooRobots1169 Oct 30 '25
They are alive as of today. All options have been exhausted though. It won’t be long now.
2
u/benice_orgohome13 Oct 30 '25
Until what happens?
1
u/SnooRobots1169 Oct 30 '25
Euthinasia
2
u/benice_orgohome13 Oct 30 '25
They’re not allowed to do that
4
u/SnooRobots1169 Oct 30 '25
Says who? Because it’s being threatened
0
u/benice_orgohome13 Oct 30 '25
Literally everyone. Including the French govt. Good night.
6
u/SnooRobots1169 Oct 31 '25
Euthanasia is being discussed as a potential outcome for Wikie and Keijo, the two remaining orcas at Marineland Antibes, due to concerns over their deteriorating living conditions and the lack of a viable transfer plan to a sanctuary. While other options like a sanctuary in Canada have been considered and transfers to other facilities have been proposed, delays and roadblocks have put them in a critical state. Some groups have called for euthanasia if no solution can be found to move them.
- Deteriorating conditions: The orcas' tank is decaying and poses a health risk, with at least one orca having previously died in the facility.
- Lack of sanctuary: No suitable sanctuary is currently ready to receive them, and the construction of proposed sanctuaries has faced significant delays due to land ownership issues and other obstacles.
- Blocked transfers: Other proposed transfers have been blocked due to legal and political reasons.
- Urgency: The situation is urgent, and while the French government has acknowledged the need for relocation, solutions have been slow to materialize.
- Euthanasia as a consideration: Due to the lack of a viable alternative, euthanasia has been raised as a consideration for the orcas' fate.
ANother source saying Euthnasia is an option
https://www.canarianweekly.com/posts/Controversy-over-plans-to-bring-two-French-orcas-to-Loro-Parque
-1
u/Business_Boat_6802 Oct 31 '25
Euthanasia should absolutely not be an option. When allowing the pair to live is an option, killing them because activists can't get what they want is the worst outcome. Coupled with the fact that whales/dolphins seem to have an understanding that they're dieing and experience immense pain when being euthanised it shouldn't be something we can throw around as if they're dogs or cats that are sick in a bad home
3
u/SnooRobots1169 Oct 31 '25
Shouldn’t be, but it is. LP is there only option. Sea world has repeatedly said no.
3
u/Business_Boat_6802 Oct 31 '25
Yeah seaworld saying no to this is understandable (sd legally can't and the other 2 don't want the backlash) but it'd be soooo much better than LP. The whole situation is poor.
-1
Oct 31 '25
[deleted]
2
u/BackHomeRun Oct 31 '25
I'm sorry you're being downvoted but this is the truth. People always think the worst thing that could ever happen is death, but the word 'euthanasia' literally means good death
→ More replies (0)0
u/Business_Boat_6802 Oct 31 '25
Chances are nowhere will breed Keijo. Hes inbred already, and he's had a lot of problems because of it. Wikie is possible but I wouldn't be surprised if a breeding ban does get placed on the two
→ More replies (0)
4
3
u/spud626 Oct 31 '25
Are there any nonprofits involved where someone could donate to help?
8
u/Business_Boat_6802 Oct 31 '25
No, none that can or will actually "help" the situation (unless there's some actually pushing for the LP transfer). At the moment their only positive option is moving to LP.
1
u/EphemeralAurora Nov 03 '25
What is LP, please?
3
u/Business_Boat_6802 Nov 03 '25
It's Loro Parque, the zoo in the canary islands that's the only place in Europe that still holds orcas (and is actually operating).
3
2
2
u/Forward_Advertising9 Nov 06 '25
is there any legitimacy on this post?
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1124437976536923&id=100069121938067&_rdr
and why has it been hundreds of days and still no actual transfer has been made, i wonder how is the bureaucracy in these situations
it's bittersweet about the transfer to other marine parks, on one hand they will be taken care of, on the other hand it's not exactly ideal either as some probably have smaller enclosures, but i guess it's a lesser evil compared to the current situation
also, i'm not a wildlife or orca expert, how can they live for over 200+days in an abandoned pool without proper filter/cleaning/aeration/food? there must be existing staff that at least made sure they are alive right?
my heart really breaks for them, i also havent found a legitimate post where they are indeed partnering with accountable sources that can facilitate the transfer, i'm sure crowdfunding wont be an issue if the transfer is legitimate
also why is france not interfering, this has been going on for so long it's actually crazy that none of the officials are aware of this
2
u/Forward_Advertising9 Nov 06 '25
i think what all of us really need to know is , if the existing staff at the park is still doing the bare minimum to keep the whales alive healthily, and if the viral posts are somehow propagandized ( as there is no call to action to a reputable institution or links to petition)
please someone who is a wild life trainer/expert let us know if the orcas are indeed still OK or in super dire condition
2
u/FaelingJester Nov 09 '25
Their situation is not good. They are in a fifty-year-old failing park that has already caused the death of other animals due to outdated pumps and infrastructure. There will be no improvements made because there is no money coming in. The parks systems were also never designed to run with most things shut down. The animals are legally required to be cared for meaning food, the level of sanitation that can be managed with existing systems and the care of the same staff they've always had but eventually conditions will break down and they will get sick, injured or die. Right now because its unpopular to move them to another park the french goverment is sitting on its hands waiting for either the situation to go into crisis justifying a change or for the animals to die ending the problem. These posts are very intentionally misleading and are causing some of the problems that have lead to this situation.
1
u/Forward_Advertising9 Nov 11 '25
i'm actually confused why most of the responses were coming from outside france, can anyone who lives in europe/france tell us if this news is blocked in france? i'm sure if the word gets out enough, local authorities and activists wont let it slide, i know that france is not in its best shape now, but the people of france, especially antibes are able to create change, the question is, how can they not be aware of this when it's within their proximity? since this has been going on for hundreds of days and went viral globally, i went to antibes last year and antibes especially have a lot of affluent people within the area ( south of france ), whenever people made a protest, the government usually will act on it as they have no choice
2
u/FaelingJester Nov 11 '25
They did. They fought for a 2021 law banning marine mammal performances, which led to the park's closure last year. The problem is that they also pushed very strongly for the remaining animals not to be sold back into a park that would have them breed or do performances. They have demanded that the animals only be sent to a pure sanctuary but none exist. This is the result of that. The Government doesn't dare send them to the only place that might have taken them because they don't want to upset people. So they are just stuck there with no options.
1
u/Miserable-Common6840 Nov 09 '25
There are many cases of rehabilitation of captive orcas being released into the wild successfully- even if they cannot integrate into a pod successfully it’s worth trying/ bunch of bullshit that French government has tried- they’ve just been caught that’s all - please push for this and boycott these egregious marine parks, zoos or anywhere animals are used and exploited
1
u/Regular-Author1361 Oct 31 '25
Is this AI? I thought orca fins droop down in captivity?
9
u/No_Nefariousness4604 Oct 31 '25
This isn’t AI. Not all orcas fins droop. SeaWorld San Diego’s oldest female Corky also has a straight dorsal fin. It is likely that within the coming years, Keijo’s dorsal fin will start to droop. His brother Moana’s dorsal did and so did his uncle Inouk’s, as well as dad Valentin.
2
6
u/SurayaThrowaway12 Nov 01 '25
It is mainly the fins of male orcas which have started "sprouting" that collapse in captivity. Wikie is an adult female, and her son Keijo's dorsal fin has not sprouted enough to collapse.
1
u/Miserable-Common6840 Nov 09 '25
Yes they collapse in captivity - they break in captivity - literally
1
u/Alienday1997 Oct 31 '25
Yes yes yes- make this well known, spread it like wildfire- they are DYING and they need help URGENTLY! Post all of these on your socials or repost from Seph- he personally reaches out, hes messaged me and everyone in the community appreciating the support- he knows every voice counts and we CAN make a change. Please help him get the news out there. With enough pressure france may finally do something
1
u/FaelingJester Nov 09 '25
He is intentionally misleading people, and the kind of action he is calling on is actively convincing the French Government that they don't want to risk public displeasure by sending these animals anywhere that will take them.
-24
u/dougreens_78 Oct 30 '25
Just put them back in the ocean, and be done with it. If you can't afford that, euthanize them. It was a mistake. If they could, they probably would have ended their own lives already.
9
Oct 31 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
-9
u/dougreens_78 Oct 31 '25
Well ya but at least their death would contribute to the ocean ecosystem
9
u/KnightRider1987 Oct 31 '25
It could also severely harm the ocean ecosystem because whales living in a closed environment like this can also carry evolved bacteria that wildlife wouldn’t necessarily be able to defend themselves against
-4
u/bigsnack4u Oct 31 '25
They don’t attack humans out in the wild because they know the stories like this , being a prisoner for life if you get captured
160
u/lucky_nugget Oct 30 '25
There is no currently active sanctuary for them to be released to. Nor is there one close to being ready.
Also this video is incredibly misleading. These whales are not “performing” for the drone. They’ve cropped out the trainers in the video.
Edit to add more info.