The French government announced a plan to relocate its last captive cetaceans to zoos and entertainment parks in Spain [1].
The decision marks a critical turning point in France's effort to phase out the captivity of large marine mammals. While the move satisfies legal deadlines, it sparks debate over whether commercial parks provide a humane alternative to sea-pen sanctuaries.
The relocation involves two orcas and 12 dolphins [1] currently held at Marineland Antibes on the French Riviera [2]. The facility closed in January 2025 [5]. Among the animals are Wikie, a 23-year-old orca, and Keijo, who is 11 years old [3, 4].
This action follows a 2021 law that banned the breeding of captive cetaceans and mandated their relocation by 2026 [6, 7]. The government opted for Spanish facilities over other options, including a rejected proposal to send the orcas to a refuge in Nova Scotia [8].
Advocates for marine animal welfare have expressed concern over the choice of destination. The move ensures the animals leave the closed French facility, but it keeps them within the commercial entertainment circuit rather than transitioning them to a semi-wild environment.
The animals remain at Marineland Antibes as the transfer process begins. The move is designed to ensure France meets its legislative requirements before the 2026 deadline expires [7].
“The French government announced a plan to relocate its last captive cetaceans to zoos and entertainment parks in Spain.”
This decision highlights the tension between legislative mandates and animal welfare goals. While France is complying with its 2021 ban on cetacean breeding and the 2026 relocation deadline, the choice of Spanish marine parks over a sanctuary suggests that logistical or financial constraints are outweighing the push for total retirement from entertainment for these animals.
