Marineland d’Antibes to Close Permanently Following Cetacean Show Ban

The French marine park will shut down on January 5, 2025, as it works to relocate 4,000 animals, including the last two captive orcas in France.

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.