Rights activists on Friday urged French authorities to transfer two orcas from Antibes’ shuttered Marineland to a sanctuary after Spain refused to take them in. France has yet to find a home for the orca mother and her calf after the marine park where they are housed closed down in January over a law banning shows featuring marine mammals.
Animal rights groups on Friday welcomed Spain‘s refusal to take in an orca mother and her calf from a shuttered French marine park, saying France must finally use the opportunity to transfer the animals to a sanctuary.
France has been struggling to find a home for the orcas after a marine park on the French Riviera, Marineland, closed down over a law banning shows featuring marine mammals from December 2026.
Under pressure from activists, Spain refused at the last minute to take in Wikie, 24, her 11-year-old calf Keijo and several other animals earlier this week.
Marineland has been ordered to care for them pending a future solution.
NGO Sea Shepherd France called the announcement “a huge relief”.
“Sea Shepherd France remains more mobilised than ever to help ensure a life worth living for the 14 cetaceans held captive in the park,” the conservation group said in a statement.
The group said an orca tank in the park in Antibes must be refurbished and staff dedicated to their care retained while activists and authorities are working on a solution.
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