||| FROM THE GLOBAL HERALD |||
Closure of Marineland Antibes and Its Implications
Marineland Antibes, a prominent marine park located near Cannes, France, is set to close its doors permanently on January 5 due to evolving animal welfare legislation. This decision leaves the future of two resident orca whales, Wikie and her son Keijo, in a state of uncertainty.
Animal rights advocates and the facility’s management are engaged in a dispute regarding potential relocation plans for the orcas, particularly after the French government recently rejected one proposal suggesting they be moved to a marine zoo in Japan.
New Legislation and Its Impact
Recent animal welfare laws, which ban dolphins and whales in marine park performances, were enacted in 2021 and will come into effect next year. As the largest marine park of its kind in Europe, Marineland currently houses two killer whales: Wikie, aged 23, and 11-year-old Keijo.
Facility operators have noted that the performances featuring these marine mammals attract around 90% of the park’s visitors, making their presence central to the park’s financial viability.
Challenges in Finding a Suitable Home for the Orcas
Multiple relocation options have been proposed, but experts agree that placing Wikie and Keijo in the wild is not a feasible solution, as they were born in captivity and lack the necessary survival skills. Hanne Strager, a marine biologist, commented, “It’s a bit like taking your dog out of the house and sending him into the woods to live freely as a wolf.”
She further emphasized how killers whales form significant bonds with their human caregivers, stating, “Those whales, that have spent their entire lives in captivity, their closest relationship is with humans.”
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