For the orcas at Marineland Antibes, a complex and troubling situation has arisen as the facility faces permanent closure. Due to the impending ban on the display of marine mammals, trainers have resorted to sexually stimulating Keijo, a young male orca, to prevent inbreeding with his mother, Wikie. The zoo, which closed its doors to visitors in January, has not been able to secure an appropriate relocation plan for the two orcas despite ongoing discussions involving the French government and various activist groups.
In troubling footage obtained by animal rights organization TideBreakers, trainers were seen using stimulation techniques while Keijo lay upside down in the water, his mother in an adjacent pool, highlighting the challenges of separating them. This method, while aimed at relieving escalating sexual urges, raises ethical questions and ignites a debate over the welfare of the animals in captivity.
The situation at Marineland has frustrated animal advocates and experts like Valerie Greene, a former orca trainer, who points out that stimulating an orca for sexual relief is typically reserved for artificial insemination purposes, which may not apply in this circumstance given Keijo’s inbred lineage. Although Marineland maintains that the action was taken purely for the orca’s wellbeing and does not intend to collect semen for breeding, skepticism remains regarding the long-term safety and care of Keijo and Wikie.
With no clear strategy for a sanctuary or suitable new home, and regulations stifling movement to facilities in countries such as Japan, the urgency for rehoming has only intensified. Criticism of the French authorities has mounted as activists express concerns that prolonged captivity poses risks to their health and wellbeing, while no viable sanctuary options have emerged.
As the plight of these orcas continues to garner attention, it highlights a larger narrative about the responsibilities of marine zoos, the complexities of captivity, and the urgent need for effective solutions to protect animals deserving of a safe and natural environment.
