Campaigners issue fresh warning over two orcas ‘at risk of death’ after being kept in abandoned theme park

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

A fresh warning has been issued about the future of the two orcas who have been 'left for dead' at an abandoned theme park in France.

It has now been five months since Marineland of Antibes closed its doors due to declining attendance and increased animal captivity regulations in the country.

The theme park's closure after 55 years of business has seen two orcas, Wilkie and her son Keijo, left behind at the park, with only a skeleton team of staff stopping by to ensure that they are fed, but their dirty enclosures have seen campaigners fight for their release into the wild.

Wilkie in particular has spent her entire 24 years on this planet in the tanks at Marineland Antibes, with the ethics of theme parks such as this and SeaWorld regularly questioned over the years, especially considering the trainers who previously died at the hands of the powerful killer whales.

Attempts to transfer the orcas, and 12 dolphins who have also been left behind, have proven futile thus far, with one area in Spain arguing that it didn't have the space, while a French minister insisted that they were in talks with other areas across Europe.

TideBreakers, an organisation which fights to end animal captivity, previously warned that a prolonged period in their current conditions would see the animals get sick or die.

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

"We are very worried that the situation is so critical, and the water quality is deteriorating to the point that it's going to cause health issues to these whales, and they're going to be euthanised before they get a chance to actually see a sanctuary."

And now TidBreakers have issued a more urgent warning that Wilkie and Keijo could be doomed if the government continue not to act, and claim that the government's aim to have them rehomed by December 2026 could prove irrelevant as they don't expect them to last that long, with Wilkie already losing her son and brother during her time in captivity.

"Wikie has spent her entire life in the concrete tanks at Marineland Antibes," said TideBreakers. "Our wish for Wikie is to see her thrive in a clean, safe environment as soon as possible, where she can live a long life alongside her son, Keijo."

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