Free Willy lifeline is just a fantasy for France’s last two captive orcas

Environmentalists are fighting to save a pair of killer whales that can’t be released into the wild

- Megan Clement

The 1993 film Free Willy helped raise awareness of captive orcas.

(Alamy)

The stands are empty and the tanks are beginning to crumble. Yet behind the walls of Marineland on the French Riviera, two orcas - Wikie and Keijo - swim on.

The marine park has been closed to the public since January. The hubbub of visitors has been replaced by the noise of workers trying to maintain the cracked tanks and the occasional whine of the drones that activists and influencers periodically fly over the park to capture footage of the captives.

Marineland Antibes closed its doors in anticipation of a ban on performing cetacean shows in France that takes effect next year. Since the closure, the mother and son have been looked after by a crew of about 30 animal carers while the park, European governments and environmental groups argue about their fate.

While everyone agrees this is no place for Wikie, 24, and Keijo, 12, no one can decide where they should go. Twelve dolphins are also confined to the park, but it is the orcas that have provoked outrage on social media: the aerial footage of them in their tank regularly goes viral. Their presence raises the question: what do you do with performing whales when public opinion turns against the spectacle?

Valentin Ducros, a spokesperson for Marineland, said the situation was urgent.

“The orca tank is at the end of its life and the animals could die at any moment,” he said, adding that the animals were in good health.

Marineland’s management has pushed for Wikie and Keijo to be transferred to Loro Parque in Tenerife, home to four orcas, where there are performances twice a day.

But a move to another marine park has been forcefully opposed by environmental NGOs that have campaigned for years to end captivity for whales and dolphins in France and don’t want to see them in another performance pool over the border.