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Lonely Whales Face Grim Fate in Rotting Tank
8 Feb
Summary
- Two orcas are trapped in a deteriorating tank at Marineland Antibes.
- Experts warn of imminent collapse and lack of stimulation for the whales.
- A transfer to a Canadian sanctuary is planned for summer 2026.
Two orcas, mother Wikie and her 11-year-old son Keijo, are in critical condition at the former Marineland Antibes in southern France. The decaying tank they inhabit poses an imminent risk of collapse, threatening their lives. Experts have stressed the urgent need for their transfer to an operational facility.
While the orcas are reportedly in good health and receive daily care, their environment offers no mental enrichment, crucial for their social structure. Marineland has been seeking a transfer permit for three years to move them to a fully operational marine zoo.
The French government designated a sanctuary in Nova Scotia, Canada, as the most suitable relocation site, with a potential transfer by summer 2026. However, concerns remain about the sanctuary's completion, with fears the orcas could perish before it is ready.
Previous relocation attempts to a zoo in Tenerife and a Japanese marine park were rejected. The mother and son have already lost two family members in the past few years due to the hazardous conditions of their tank.
