Orcas Abandoned: A Daring Rescue Mission Unfolds

For 16 months, two orcas, Wilkie and Keijo, endured dire conditions within the abandoned Marineland Antibes, following the park's closure in January 2025. Wildlife experts had repeatedly raised alarms about the orcas' welfare, stressing their urgent need for clean water, social interaction, and mental stimulation. Concerns grew that the pair might perish due to prolonged delays in finding them a new home. Releasing them into the wild was deemed impossible as they had lived their entire lives in captivity.

Hope has emerged as Loro Parque in Tenerife has expressed its willingness to undertake a dramatic rescue bid. Wolfgang Kiessling, president of the Loro Parque Group, stated the park is prepared to "rescue Wikie and Keijo and offer all available resources to ensure they do not die." This offer follows the French Minister Delegate for Ecological Transition, Mathieu Lefévre's, reported approval of the transfer. The final decision now rests with Spain's central government, which must formally approve the move before any rescue operation can commence.

PETA Watch has welcomed the French government's decision, calling it the "right call" that prioritizes the orcas' welfare. The charity emphasized that Loro Parque, with its extensive conservation investments, will provide the expert veterinary care and long-term stability the orcas require. This move is seen as a decisive step away from what PETA Watch describes as "fantasy solutions" proposed by some animal rights extremists.