Marineland Antibes: Whales Stranded After Closure

Marineland Antibes closed in 2025, but whales Wikie & Keijo, plus dolphins, remain in tanks. Concerns rise over limited care and welfare post-closure, despite past issues with Parques Reunidos.

Marineland Antibes officially closed in January 2025 after a French regulation prohibited dolphin and whale shows. However 2 whales, Wikie and her boy Keijo, and twelve dolphins are still staying in containers at the shut park.

Disturbing Discovery

“The mommy whale shows up dead– her body floating motionless in dirty water beside her son. Yet this wasn’t the sea. These whales were left inside a shut, defunct marine park in France,” photojournalist Seph Lawless, that made the videos, said.

Welfare Concerns Rise

Parques Reunidos has actually previously run the gauntlet over pet welfare criteria at a few of its parks. In spite of these past worries, comparable concerns remain to show up, questioning about just how animal well-being is prioritized within the firm’s procedures.

Limited Investment Post-Closure

Considering that Marineland Antibes closed to the public, the center has actually shown little investment in the remaining orcas and dolphins. With no income can be found in, only standard treatment is being offered to the pets. The orcas remain to get food, however there are reports of restricted enrichment and lowered team visibility.

At the Global Organization for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA) meeting a month earlier, Ferraci claimed just how proud he was of the accomplishments of Parques Reunidos. “At the heart of it all is an easy truth: we are not just operating parks.