Months after Marineland Antibes closed its doors for good, two orcas remain trapped behind the scenes, circling concrete tanks in silence.
Wikie and her son Keijo are the last orcas left in France, stranded in a now-defunct marine park that once boasted packed stands and splashy dolphin shows. Now, it’s a ghost town.
Born in Captivity, Abandoned in Closure
Wikie is no ordinary orca. She made global headlines in 2014 for being the first killer whale to mimic human speech, uttering words like “hello” and “bye-bye” in a breakthrough that shocked scientists.
But she’s never known the ocean. Born in captivity, she’s spent her entire life performing for crowds. Her son, Keijo, was born in the same tank in 2013.
As public opinion turned against captive marine entertainment, spurred by documentaries like Blackfish, ticket sales plummeted, sponsors fled, and protests mounted. In January 2024, Marineland Antibes finally shut down. But the animals stayed, The Standard reports.
Ghosts in a Forgotten Arena
Footage released this week reveals the stark reality: grandstands sit empty, signs fade under the sun, and Wikie and Keijo continue swimming slow, mechanical loops. Observers say the orcas are showing clear signs of psychological stress and lethargy, common among marine mammals in captivity.
A dozen dolphins are still housed in holding pools nearby, with only minimal staff attending to basic feeding and maintenance. No veterinary care. No enrichment. Just waiting.
Animal rights groups say the park’s remote location has helped conceal the scale of neglect, until now.
No Plan, No Exit
Despite public outcry, authorities in France have yet to secure a new home for Wikie and Keijo.
One potential lifeline, the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, was rejected earlier this year by France’s Ecology Ministry, which is seeking a “European solution.” But critics say that solution doesn’t exist.
“We’re the only viable option,” said Lori Marino, president of the Whale Sanctuary Project. Her organization has already done the environmental legwork, secured permits, and leased a cold-water cove. “If you don’t even have a site yet, you’re years away,” she told the BBC.
“Concrete Tanks Are Not Homes”
Activists are urging urgent action, warning that time is running out. David Phillips of Earth Island Institute put it bluntly: “Concrete tanks are not homes. Orcas belong in the ocean.”
As Wikie and Keijo continue their lonely rotations, the world watches. Not for entertainment, but in shame.
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