A desperate race to save Wikie and Keijo, a mother and son orca duo, has ignited a heated debate among animal welfare advocates, government officials, and the public. These majestic creatures, once the stars of a bustling aquarium in France, now find themselves in a dire situation, floating aimlessly in pools that have become a shadow of their former glory.
The aquarium, once a bustling hub of marine life, now stands empty, with weeds creeping in and algae clouding the water. Wikie and Keijo, born and raised in captivity, performed for crowds for decades, but since the park's closure in 2025, they have been left without an audience.
In 2021, a French law prohibiting the captivity of cetaceans was passed, sparking a long-standing debate over the fate of these orcas. Now, with a crucial meeting approaching, the French government, animal welfare organizations, and Marineland Antibes must decide on a solution.
While the 12 bottlenose dolphins at Marineland will remain at the park for the time being, the focus is on finding a suitable home for Wikie and Keijo. Marineland acknowledges the urgency of the situation, stating that the pools are in poor condition and pose a threat to the orcas' well-being and lives.
The French government has proposed sending them to the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, Canada, a 40-hectare outdoor sanctuary designed to mimic the natural habitat of whales and dolphins. Lori Marino, a neuroscientist and founder of the project, assures that the orcas will have the depth to dive, an engaging underwater environment, and training routines.
However, this decision has faced strong opposition. Marino herself acknowledges the lack of collaboration among stakeholders, which is a significant hurdle. The main concern is that the sanctuary is not yet built and lacks the necessary funds, leaving Wikie and Keijo's future uncertain.
Marineland's representatives argue that the sanctuary is merely a hypothetical solution, and they favor an immediate transfer to an aquarium. With the park closed, the orcas are a financial burden, costing around €500,000 each year to maintain. Selling them to another aquarium could provide some financial relief for Marineland's owners.
Last year, a temporary move to Loro Parque in Tenerife was approved, but the Spanish government rejected the transfer, leaving the orcas in a state of limbo once again. There have also been rumors of a deal with SeaWorld in Orlando, but Marineland denies this.
Even C'est Assez!, an anti-captivity organization, has softened its stance, stating that a transition to SeaWorld might be the lesser of two evils given the urgency and lack of viable sanctuary options.
Transferring Wikie and Keijo to SeaWorld would be the easiest option logistically, as it is not uncommon for large marine mammals to be moved between parks. However, a move to a sanctuary would require a more complex process, as the orcas, born and raised in pools, would need to adapt to ocean waters, build muscle, and gain blubber.
Sea Shepherd France, an influential environmental organization, calls for a sanctuary in the Mediterranean, but such a facility does not exist. Their initial proposal for a site in Brest was deemed unfeasible due to pollution concerns.
Sea Shepherd France remains strongly opposed to the Nova Scotia sanctuary, questioning the water quality and temperature. They demand independent verification of the water's safety, arguing that the Mediterranean climate is more suitable for Wikie and Keijo, given their heritage.
Marino, however, refutes these concerns, citing detailed data analyses and independent assessments that confirm the water's safety. She emphasizes that Wikie and Keijo are Icelandic orcas, adapted to cold-water environments, and that expert veterinarians have expressed confidence in their ability to adjust to Nova Scotia's temperatures.
The Mediterranean Sea, she points out, is warming faster than the global average, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves. Nova Scotia's waters, in contrast, provide a more stable and suitable temperature for the orcas.
All parties hope to find a resolution at Monday's meeting, but for now, Wikie and Keijo remain in their current state, as the disagreements persist.
Naomi Rose, a cetacean expert on the Whale Sanctuary Project's board, emphasizes that activists and animal welfare organizations are not to blame for the orcas' predicament. She asserts that the industry's exploitation of these creatures for almost a century is solely responsible for their current situation.
