Misery of the abandoned orcas: Killer whales and dolphins are left trapped in shut-down marine park - as campaigners plead for them to be saved (France)

Daily Mail ^ | 5-14-25 | KUMAIL JAFFER

[dynachrome]

Two orcas and 12 dolphins have been stuck in bleak living conditions in an abandoned marine park since January.

The majestic creatures remain confined in Marineland Antibes, a French marine park near Cannes that shut its doors four months ago.

Disturbing drone footage released by animal activist group TideBreakers shows the orcas Wikie, 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo wandering aimlessly around the abandoned park.

The video also shows the algae-infested pool where the remaining dolphins are kept.

But despite their despairing condition, French authorities have yet to identify a suitable site in Europe for the orcas and have rejected a proposed move to a marine zoo in Japan.

Marketa Schusterova, co-founder of TideBreakers, said: 'The situation in Marineland Antibes is an emergency and needs worldwide attention.

'These are the last two remaining orcas in captivity in France and they should be moved quickly.

'The orcas need to be removed from dangerous conditions that are posing significant risks to their health and safety.'

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Pets/Animals; Society
KEYWORDS: abandoned; cannes; dolphins; france; orcas

[dynachrome]

Don't let the hatitians near them.

Why are they rejecting Japan and other places to move them to?

[ConservativeMind]

The Japanese citizens would eat them?

[Jonty30]

Jail the owners and take over the park to release them.
Animals put their trust in us.

[albie]

“Don’t let the hatitians near them.”

…you mean they abandoned cats too?

[HartleyMBaldwin]

French authorities have yet to identify a suitable site in Europe for the orcas

I thought there was some kind of ocean not too far from there.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

From the article: "After entertaining the public for years, we should still provide them with a clean and safe environment to live out their remaining years."

Note the "we." Marketa Schusterova, co-founder of TideBreakers, runs her group. So here's a wee search engine challenge.

Find her group, TideBreakers. The story is repeated nunches of times throughout media, but there is almost nothing about this "co-founder" or the group.

[PeterPrinciple]

Marketa Schusterova

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an influencer with 102 followers......................

in a search.

[Clutch Martin]

That orca who killed it’s trainer years ago was never released but is isolated in it’s own tank! Like a prison... Release it! If it dies it dies but keeping it in solitary is cruel.

I don’t like Zoo’s either.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

I got bartender and part-time photographer....

[libertylover]

the orcas Wikie, 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo wandering aimlessly around the abandoned park.

"Wandering aimlessly"? Well, I'm no animal expert but my guess is they're looking for something to eat.

[jagusafr]

If it’s been since January, somebody’s feeding them...

[PGR88]

TideBreakers shows the orcas Wikie, 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo wandering aimlessly around the abandoned park.

[Resolute Conservative]

Yeah really, just move them to the ocean.

[Jonty30]

When we have animals in zoos, we owe them their best lives for their service to us.

However, without zoos, people would not have cared if animals went extinct.