The fate of orcas Wikie and Keiko uncertain as marine zoo closes down

On 5 January 2025, Marineland d’Antibes, a sea park in France housing over 4,000 show animals, was closed down following new animal welfare legislation banning the use of dolphins and whales in marine zoo shows. While the ban raises questions concerning the fate of thousands of animals — including sea lions and fish — particular attention has been brought to the park’s two Icelandic orcas, 23-year-old Wikie and her 11-year-old son Keijo. Following the death of two orcas in the park last year, the controversy raised by animal welfare groups seems to have been a long time coming, sparking discussion regarding the legislation of marine animals worldwide.

It is well-established that orcas are highly social and intelligent animals. The vast amount of evidence supporting their cognitive abilities is overwhelming, underscoring the moral issues surrounding their continued use in human entertainment.

In their natural habitat, orcas form advanced social structures and languages that vary between numerous subspecies and smaller pods. The two major subspecies of orca are the resident, who lives in close family pods and primarily hunt fish, and Bigg’s (Transient), who roam vaster areas in smaller groups that hunt marine mammals. The types can be further divided via their ecotypes, primarily types A, B, C, and D, which usually indicate the whale’s main location as well as their appearance.

Orca’s intelligence makes it somewhat unsurprising that their confinement in small areas can cause an array of psychological issues that are not unlike those suffered by humans.

Research has found that differences in culture, social structure, and communication between these subspecies and ecotypes can vary to such an extent it has been argued that some types should be considered entirely different species. Differences in communication include orca ‘accents’ within resident whales, which seem to be as different as Greek is to Russian. Varieties in behaviour are seen as a result of younger animals being modelled off of the dominant female. There have even been reports of young orca’s ‘babbling’ as they learn to adjust and learn the distinctive calls and whistles of their pod.

Individuals born into captivity are not exposed to this advanced social structure and instead craft their behaviours from a single whale if they are lucky enough not to be separated. Orca’s intelligence makes it somewhat unsurprising that their confinement in small areas can cause an array of psychological issues that are not unlike those suffered by humans. Issues manifest in a variety of ways including: self-harm, depression, physical deformities (e.g. the bending of the dorsal fin) due to lack of movement, and, perhaps most famously, aggression towards other whales and keepers. Orcas captured from the wild can often be heard calling for their pod from their captive space.

Keepers and orca experts alike state the animals’ reliance on humans deems them unsuitable for coping on their own

Wikie and Keijo were both born in captivity, with Wikie being the first orca to be forcibly impregnated via artificial insemination. In Marineland, which is described as being one of the biggest parks of its kind, they are kept in a pool that is 64 metres long. Both orcas were born in the same pool — Wikie in 2001 and Keijo in 2013 — and since have been trained, fed, and looked after by various keepers. The orcas perform two shows a day, including choreographed leaps, jumps, and beaching onto concrete ledges. Having been born in captivity, the orca’s release into the wild is considered to be out of the question. Keepers and orca experts alike state the animals’ reliance on humans deems them unsuitable for coping on their own. The orcas would not have the proper social skills to communicate with other pods, likely forcing them into isolation, unable to hunt for food, and susceptible to attack from rival pods. With release into their natural habitat deemed dangerous for the orcas, the question remains: what is going to happen to Wikie and Keijo?

As of mid-January, multiple options have surfaced concerning the two whales’ transfer. One of the most significant was a proposal to send them to a marine zoo in Japan which, while backed by Marineland managers, caused an outcry among groups who cited Japan’s recent relaxing of animal welfare laws. There is a long history of captive orca deaths in Japan and a rise in abuse figures, with little punishment for those responsible, reduced to a mere fine. The two orcas would undergo an 8,000-mile journey to arrive at a Japanese park where they would continue to forcibly perform in shows in front of immense crowds, likely under much worse conditions and care, and perhaps even be separated from each other to force Wikie into reproducing. Such worries are furthered by Japan’s whaling legislation. In 2019, the country withdrew from the International Whaling Commission, resuming commercial whaling for ‘scientific’ and consumption purposes. In Japan, it seems the welfare of marine animals is not any sort of priority.

Luckily, however, this proposed deal with Japan has since been blocked by France’s Minister of Ecological Transition, who stated: “Japanese parks are subject to legislation that is less protective of animals than in Europe. In addition, travelling 13,000 kilometres would obviously be dangerous for their health.”

Another option for the whales’ transfer is the Spanish marine zoo Loro Parque. While this park holds similar welfare standards to Marineland, campaigners worry that Wikie and Keijo will be forced to continue performing, making France’s ban on the use of whales in commercial shows seem pointless.

A final, and more hopeful, option for Wikie and Keijo is a transfer to a developing sanctuary in eastern Canada. The Whale Sanctuary Project proposes to close off a 93-acre area in Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia, “where cetaceans […] can live in an environment that maximises well-being and autonomy and is as close as possible to their natural habitat.” The project is currently still under construction and continues to seek funding, though it has expressed its hopes to welcome Wikie and Keijo in mid-2025. Their transfer to this kind of sanctuary would allow the whales to remain in a large area of water not unlike their natural habitat while benefiting from access to human support like vets and welfare workers. Most importantly, they would be free to live a form of natural living as opposed to being forced to continue performances. The Whale Sanctuary Project continues to accept donations for the project on its website.

While we await updates on Wikie and Keijo’s transfer from Marineland, it’s crucial to stay informed about the challenging conditions orcas are sadly subjected to and support initiatives working to end these practices. You can sign a petition to help free Wikie and Keijo here.