Overview

• Marineland d’Antibes, Europe’s largest marine park, has announced its permanent closure due to a 2021 French law banning cetacean shows, effective December 2026.
• Visitor numbers have plummeted over the past decade, from 1.2 million annually to 425,000, contributing to the park's financial struggles.
• The park is home to 4,000 animals of 150 species, including dolphins, otaries, and two orcas, Wikie and Keijo, whose relocation is a key focus of animal welfare debates.
• Plans to transfer the orcas to Japan were blocked by the French government over concerns about Japan's less stringent animal welfare regulations.
• Animal rights groups are advocating for the orcas to be moved to a sanctuary in Nova Scotia, Canada, while the park explores options for all its animals.