Two orcas discovered in abandoned marine park appear dead before heartbreakingly starting to perform

Warning: This article contains discussions of animal cruelty that some readers may find upsetting

New heartbreaking footage of the two orcas stuck in an abandoned marine park in France shows them trying to perform after appearing to lie still in the water.

The pair of killer whales appear to be fighting for their lives after the Marineland of Antibes closed in January because of a forthcoming law banning orcas from being in shows.

Marketa Schusterova, the co-founder of activist group Tidebreakers, previously warned that 23-year-old mother Wikie and 11-year-old son Keijo are 'going to get sick and die' if they aren't sent to a proper facility.

It comes after Tenerife's Loro Parque Zoo's proposal to take in the orcas in April was rejected by their government.

"We know from reviewing footage [of Marineland] that the tank is causing a hazard," Schusterova said. "We know that it's not being cleaned, it's falling apart. It's a hazard for these orcas every day."

Meanwhile, managers at Marineland told the BBC in April that the animals 'must leave now' for their sake, adding: "Marineland reaffirms the extreme urgency of transferring the animals to an operational destination."

Lori Marino, president of The Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP), said that Nova Scotia is 'the only option left' as a suitable location for Wikie and Keijo is still being determined.

According to WSP, in May, the French government had re-engaged with the organisation to give them 'best possible future', as they wrote: "We replied that we remain committed to working with the government, with Marineland Antibes, and with other animal protection organizations to help provide the best possible future for the two whales."

In a recent update, Seph Lawless (@sephlawless) has shared a sad drone clip of Wikie floating beside her son in the dirty water.

At first, the mother looked dead until she moved and looked up at the drone, when the two orcas then began to swim and perform again as if a crowd was watching.

"Leaping, twirling, performing the only language they were ever taught… but this time, there was no crowd. Just me …and their longing to be free," Lawless wrote.

"Their bodies cut through the still water like memories coming back to life — spinning, rising, falling — as if the ghosts of applause still echoed somewhere in their minds."

Viewers were devastated by the viral clip, as one person wrote: "Oh my God I’m in tears What has happened to humanity???? How can this be happening?? Please something has to be done!!"

"This is quite literally gut-wrenching," a second thought, while a third penned: "Crying my eyes out for these beautiful creatures.

"They were performing for you to ask you for help. This hurts to watch. What will it take to free them?"

Lawless noted that 'their story isn’t over, unless we let it'.

"To the 55 million people who shared my posts — our voices have already sent waves crashing against the French government. Since the videos my viral, the French government has publicly said they’re now fully engaged," he wrote.

"This is the moment we push even harder. Please share their voices with the entire world."

If you see an animal in distress and/or in need of help, contact the RSPCA's national animal cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 from 8am to 5pm seven days a week, or visit their website for further advice