Two orcas and twelve dolphins are still trapped in Marineland Antibes, a deserted marine park located in southern France. Since it closed in January 2025, the animals have faced increasingly poor conditions. Wikie the orca and her son Keijo swim endlessly in stagnant pools filled with algae. Despite public protests and suggestions for relocation, the government has done nothing to help them escape. As the pressure mounts, activists and marine specialists are urging for an immediate rescue. This situation is clearly more than just neglect; it’s a challenge to see how far we are willing to go to correct our past errors and provide these animals with the lives they truly deserve.
Abandoned After the Applause.
Before it shut down, Marineland Antibes attracted thousands of visitors. But when France prohibited marine mammal performances, the park closed its doors, leaving the animals behind. Today, Wikie, Keijo, and twelve dolphins still reside in the deserted marine park, isolated from the outside world. Although a small team is still providing basic care, drone footage shows dirty water, crumbling walls, and an unsettling silence. Once celebrated for entertainment, the park now stands as a symbol of neglect. Instead of relocating the animals to safety, officials allowed the closure to turn into a slow punishment. Now, time is running out, and public patience is running thin.
A Law Without a Lifeboat
When France enacted the ban on marine mammal performances, many people cheered the decision. However, the law failed to address one crucial aspect: what happens to the animals that are left behind? Consequently, Marineland Antibes, now a deserted marine park, still contains the same creatures it once exploited. Wikie, Keijo, and twelve dolphins remain trapped with no plan for relocation, no funding, and no timeline. Lawmakers celebrated their reform but neglected to ensure its implementation. This legal oversight has led to a crisis where animals suffer even though they are supposedly “protected.” Moving forward, genuine reform must include accountability, not just catchy headlines.
Drone Footage Causes Outrage
Recently, drone footage from TideBreakers provided a shocking glimpse into Marineland Antibes, the deserted marine park that still houses orcas and dolphins. In the video, Wikie and Keijo are seen swimming through murky, green algae with no apparent stimulation or enrichment. Their surroundings clearly show signs of neglect. While Marineland staff assert that they provide care, the footage tells a different story. As the video circulated, public outrage intensified. Protesters took to the streets, and animal rights organizations renewed their calls for rescue. Ultimately, the video served as a reminder to both the public and the government that promises are meaningless without real action.
Failed Rescue Attempts in Spain
Initially, Spain appeared willing to assist. Authorities contemplated relocating the orcas to Loro Parque in Tenerife. However, the plan quickly fell apart. Spanish officials rejected the request, claiming that the park could not adequately meet the animals’ needs. Animal welfare advocates concurred, cautioning that another entertainment venue was not the solution. Consequently, the orcas remained at Marineland Antibes, the same abandoned marine park where they had been left. This unsuccessful attempt highlighted the complicated logistics and politics involved in relocating marine animals. Without appropriate alternatives, the animals remain trapped in bureaucratic delays and face deteriorating conditions.
Japan’s Proposal Denied
Next, Japan proposed to take in Wikie and Keijo. At first glance, the offer seemed encouraging. However, critics quickly raised concerns. They highlighted Japan’s history with dolphin hunting and its less stringent animal welfare regulations. In response, France blocked the transfer. This decision kept the orcas at Marineland Antibes, extending their time in the abandoned marine park. Meanwhile, experts argued that sending the orcas to a country known for controversial marine practices would undermine efforts for ethical reform. The rejection highlighted increasing international tensions surrounding animal welfare and left the whales, once again, without a safe place to go.
A Ray of Hope in Canada
Although some plans didn’t work out, a glimmer of hope came from across the ocean. The Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, Canada, suggested a solution: a sea-pen refuge where orcas could live freely without having to perform. This idea received a lot of backing from scientists and animal rights organizations. However, financial issues and logistics still pose challenges. Moving orcas is a complicated process that requires special permits, large transport equipment, and ongoing funding. Yet, despite these obstacles, many people believe this sanctuary could finally free Wikie and Keijo from the deserted marine park. For once, Marineland Antibes might actually have a real plan for their exit.
Protesters Demand a Sanctuary
As the delays dragged on, protesters took to the streets. Their message was straightforward: sanctuary, not another performance. Groups like Sea Shepherd and One Voice gathered outside Marineland Antibes, insisting that the animals be relocated from the abandoned marine park to a natural sanctuary. They argued that Wikie and Keijo, both born in captivity, cannot go back to the wild, but they still deserve a peaceful and spacious environment. For activists, a life free from tricks, loudspeakers, or concrete barriers would be a long-overdue form of justice. Their campaign is becoming more vocal every day, and now, the government can’t ignore them for much longer.
The Forgotten Dolphins
While Wikie and Keijo are in the spotlight, 12 dolphins are quietly suffering nearby. These social and intelligent creatures are also stuck in Marineland Antibes, the same abandoned marine park that has sparked global outrage. Unlike orcas, dolphins don’t attract the same media attention, but their situation is just as serious. Stagnant water, stress, and isolation take a toll on their health every single day. Despite this, efforts to relocate have mainly focused on the orcas. Activists argue that the dolphins deserve equal consideration, claiming that neglecting them adds another layer of injustice. As the attention increases, so does the demand to rescue all the animals, not just the most well-known ones.
Marineland’s Silence Raises Questions
Even with increasing protests and viral videos, Marineland Antibes stays mostly quiet. Officials at the park say they are providing basic care, but they lack transparency. There are no vet reports available, no inspections from outside parties, and no clear plan for the future. Meanwhile, the animals are still stuck in the deserted marine park, raising more concerns. Critics say the park is just stalling, hoping the issue will blow over. But with drones overhead and activists keeping a close eye, that seems unlikely. The longer Marineland waits, the louder the calls for accountability become. Clearly, staying silent won’t help the animals or the park’s image.
What This Says About Captivity
The situation at Marineland Antibes has ignited a larger discussion. If countries decide to ban marine shows, what will happen to the animals that are already in tanks? The orcas and dolphins left in this deserted marine park highlight a significant flaw in the system: reform without accountability. New laws might prevent future suffering, but without plans for transition, they leave past victims behind. This scenario pushes lawmakers, animal welfare supporters, and the public to reconsider captivity. Moving forward, it’s not enough to just say “no more shows”; we need clear, funded strategies for ethical retirement. Otherwise, the cycle of abandonment will continue.
Still Waiting for Rescue
Wikie, Keijo, and the 12 dolphins are still inside Marineland Antibes, swimming in circles at a deserted marine park that the world can’t ignore. For now, they are just waiting. Proposals come and go. Protests are getting louder. Yet, no one has taken them to safety. With each passing day, the urgency increases. Their story not only shows the failures of one park but also a global system that still struggles to find a balance between entertainment, ethics, and compassion. What happens next will set the standard for marine animal welfare everywhere. Hopefully, it will end with rescue, not regret.