Two orcas and 12 dolphins stuck as Europe's biggest marine park closes down

By Jennifer Pinto, Audience writer

People have protested against the orca transfers at the now closed marine park (Image: Getty)

The closure of Europe's biggest marine park has left two orcas and 12 dolphins stuck as efforts to find them a new home run into difficulty. Marineland, located beside the vast expanse of the sea in the French Riviera, has been a subject of controversy in recent years. While some locals cherish it as a childhood staple or tourist attraction, others have long protested against keeping marine animals in captivity.

The deaths of several animals at the park and disturbing footage of the animal's living conditions has sparked growing anger in recent years. Now, a ban on orca and dolphin shows and their captivity in France has seen Marineland close its doors before the new laws come into force in December 2026. But, the fate of the remaining sea animals remains uncertain after Spain refused to take them, Nice Matin reported. The Spanish scientific authority has reportedly issued an unfavourable opinion regarding the transfer of the remaining dolphins and orcas.

It remains unclear what will happen now that the transfert to Spain is not going to take place (Image: Getty)

The park had requested to transfer two orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, along with 12 other dolphins, to two parks in Spain before the middle of April.

The Minister of Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, has instructed Parques Reunidos, the owner of Marineland, to ensure the animals continue to receive proper care while awaiting a future solution, the local news agency reported. 

Marineland is now insisting on the "extreme urgency" of this transfer as contracts for the park's employees are set to expire by mid April, and maintenance work is needed if the animals remain at the park.

Animal welfare groups are saying that they should go to a "sanctuary and nothing else" (Image: Getty)

Animal welfare groups, however, have said that this transfer to Spain will only worsen the conditions of the orcas and dolphins. 

They believe such a move goes against the intentions of the 2021 animal welfare law and are instead urging for the creation of sanctuaries where these captive-born animals could live in more natural environments and in better conditions.

Marine conservation society, Sea Sheperd, said: "As soon as the animals are moved to Spain, France will no longer have any control over their destiny. 

"We will do everything in our power to prevent these shameful transfers."

Marineland has been approached for comment.