A desperate race to save Wikie and Keijo, the mother and son orcas, is underway. These majestic creatures, once the stars of a bustling aquarium in France, now find themselves in a dire situation. With the park's closure, their future hangs in the balance.
In a stark contrast to the bustling crowds of the past, only a handful of people now wander between the pools that once housed a thriving marine community. Weeds have taken root, stands are empty, and algae has grown, giving the water a distinct green hue. This is the reality for Wikie and Keijo, who were born and raised in captivity, performing for audiences for decades.
Since 2021, a French law has prohibited keeping cetaceans in captivity, sparking a heated debate over the fate of these orcas. On Monday, a crucial meeting will bring together the French government, animal welfare organizations, and Marineland Antibes to decide their future.
While the 12 bottlenose dolphins at Marineland will remain at the park for now, the focus is on finding a suitable home for Wikie and Keijo. These marine mammals require very specific conditions to thrive, and the search for an ethical solution has been ongoing.
In December 2025, the French government announced a controversial decision. Wikie and Keijo would be sent to the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, Canada, a 40-hectare outdoor site aiming to recreate a natural habitat for whales and dolphins. This decision, however, has met strong resistance.
Lori Marino, a neuroscientist and founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project, believes this is the best option. She states, "They will have depth to dive, an interesting environment to explore, and conditioning routines with trainers." But getting this plan approved is far from certain.
The main concern of Marino's opponents is the sanctuary's lack of completion and funding. With only months left until the orcas' arrival, the project is still $15 million short. Marineland's representatives argue that the sanctuary is merely a hypothetical solution, and they want the orcas transferred immediately to an aquarium.
The financial burden of maintaining the orcas is significant, with each costing around €500,000 per year. Marineland's owners could potentially recoup some funds by selling them to another aquarium, but this option is now being reconsidered.
Last year, a temporary move to Loro Parque in Tenerife was approved, but the Spanish government rejected the transfer, leaving Wikie and Keijo in a state of uncertainty once again. There have also been reports 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 evil given the circumstances. This is a significant shift from their previous court battle to block any transfer to other aquariums.
Logistically, a move to SeaWorld would be the easiest option for the orcas. It is not uncommon for large marine mammals to be transferred between parks. However, a move to a sanctuary would require a more complex process, as Wikie and Keijo would need to adapt to ocean waters, having been born and raised in pools.
Sea Shepherd France, an influential environmental organization, calls for a sanctuary in the Mediterranean, but such a place does not exist. Their initial proposal for a site in Brest was deemed unfeasible due to pollution concerns.
Despite this, Sea Shepherd France remains opposed to the Nova Scotia sanctuary. They question the scientific reports showing the waters to be safe and demand independent verification. They also argue that the waters are too cold for Wikie and Keijo, who are accustomed to the Mediterranean's mild climate.
Marino strongly refutes these claims, stating that detailed water quality analyses have been published, including those by independent analysts. She emphasizes that Wikie and Keijo, being Icelandic orcas, thrive in cold-water environments, and expert veterinarians have expressed no concerns about their ability to adapt to Nova Scotia's temperatures.
The Mediterranean Sea, she points out, is warming faster than the global average, leading to more intense heatwaves. Waters at Nova Scotia, she argues, 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 limbo 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. "We have never harmed an orca's welfare in captivity. That responsibility lies with the industry that has exploited them for almost a century."
The fate of Wikie and Keijo hangs in the balance, and the world awaits the outcome of this crucial meeting.
