WHAT IS HAPPENING?

In the French Riviera, at Marineland Antibes, an orca mother named Wikie lives with her 10-year old son Keijo. They are currently at risk of being sold and exported to Japan where they would continue to live in captivity, face separation and smaller concrete enclosures, and spend the rest of their lives performing for profit.

Despite being highly social animals with close family ties, many captive orcas are separated and sold to live in different captive environments. Wikie and Keijo have managed to stay together for a decade. The French Government has the opportunity to make the right choice and keep them together in a better natural environment.

WHY ARE THE ORCAS BEING MOVED?

A new law passed in France prohibits keeping cetaceans in captivity, recognizing that these incredibly intelligent animals deserve to remain with their close family groups, in stimulating, natural environments. Wikie and Keijo are being moved from Marineland Antibes in compliance with this new law. However, simply selling the mother and son to a new captive environment is an afront values underpinning the decision to ban captivity for cetaceans. The French government should stand behind its moral obligation and block the sale of Wikie and Keijo to captivity in Japan.

WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE?

Instead of selling Wikie and Keijo to other marine parks, the French government has the opportunity to move the mother and son duo to a marine sanctuary. This seaside habitat is large, natural, stimulating, and stewarded by qualified staff and marine veterinarian who will make sure the health and quality of life for Wikie and Keijo is significantly improved. A group of 42 leading NGOs representing 14 million members in 25 countries have co-signed a letter to France’s Minister of Ecology calling for the government to choose a sanctuary as the future home of Wikie and Keijo.