ANTIBES, France (May 16, 2025) — Disturbing footage taken on May 7 by TideBreakers exposes severe neglect of two orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, and 12 dolphins at the closed Marineland Antibes in France. The animals are seen languishing in algae-infested tanks, and their visible neglect has prompted calls for urgent action before it’s too late. 

In Defense of Animals is demanding immediate intervention from French authorities, including the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP), the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, and the Mayor of Antibes, Jean Leonetti. French law obligates these authorities to prevent animal cruelty and neglect — failure to act may constitute legal violations.

“Forcing an animal to suffer in filth is a criminal offense,” said Fleur Dawes, Communications Director at In Defense of Animals. “French authorities must either force Parques Reunidos to provide immediate care or seize the animals now — Wikie, Keijo, and 12 dolphins could die of neglect in these appalling conditions.”

Under Article L215-11 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code, professionals responsible for unnecessary mistreatment of animals can face up to one year in prison and a €15,000 fine. Article 521-1 of the Penal Code provides for up to three years in prison and a €45,000 fine for cruelty to a captive animal — or five years and €75,000 if the animal dies.

Marineland Antibes, owned by Spanish leisure park operator Parques Reunidos, closed in January 2025, a year before France’s ban on cetacean shows takes full effect in 2026. Yet the park laid off staff and left the animals trapped in deteriorating conditions at the shuttered facility. 

Sea Shepherd France has called for the orca tank to be refurbished, and dedicated staff retained to care for the animals until a sanctuary is ready to accept the orcas. 

While the pending Whale Sanctuary Project in Canada was denied by French authorities, the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation sanctuary is nearing completion in Greece.

In April, Spain declared Loro Parque in the Canary Islands unfit for the orcas, citing unacceptable conditions at the entertainment center owned by German entrepreneur, Wolfgang Kiessling. Spain’s scientific panel concluded that Loro Parque’s facilities “do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of surface area, volume and depth necessary to house the specimens in optimal conditions.” This official assessment reinforces widespread animal welfare concerns about Loro Parque, where orcas have been documented with broken teeth, rake marks, and behavioral abnormalities.

In Defense of Animals calls on the French government to act in accordance with its own animal protection laws to save Wikie, Keijo and 12 dolphins suffering at Marineland Antibes.

CONTACT:

Fleur Dawes, Director of Communications and International Projects, +1 (415) 879-6879, media@idausa.org

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of defending animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in California, India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi, since 1983. www.idausa.org

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