In our last post, we shared the formal recommendations of the General Inspectorate of the Environment & Sustainable Development regarding the future of whales and dolphins in captivity at marine parks in France.
Well-being of the animals is the primary concern
The report opens with a clear statement of the government’s overriding purpose:
“The law of November 30, 2021, aimed at combating animal mistreatment and strengthening the bond between animals and humans provides, with regard to cetaceans, for an end to shows and a ban on their reproduction in captivity.
And in its general principles, it states:
“Animal welfare being the main reason why the legislator voted to close captive cetacean presentation centers to the public, the guarantee of this welfare must be a cardinal criterion in the choice of destination for Marineland’s cetaceans.”
The well-being of the animals is the reason for this law and their well-being should therefore be the primary consideration in any provisions made for their future:
“The main factor in well-being is the maintenance of social bonds between individuals in the same pod. This is essential for Keijo, Wikie’s son, who needs to be kept with his mother, even more so after the disappearance of the group’s two other orcas.” (Those two other orcas were Wikie’s brother Inouk and her first son Moana, both of whom died in the last year.)
Therefore, in the transfer of whales or dolphins to a new situation:
“It is essential to maintain the social structure of the group and, as far as possible, the relationship with the caretakers, at least temporarily, as these are social animals with a superior psyche, having developed very close relationships with their caretakers.”
The report adds that the well-being of the whales and dolphins should not depend on subjective opinions, but on “scientific monitoring based on protocols validated by a committee of wild and captive cetacean specialists, covering the fields of animal welfare, veterinary health, zootechnics and ethology.”
The Inspectorate concludes that for Wikie and Keijo, the mother-and-son orcas at Marineland Antibes in the South of France, the Whale Sanctuary Project offers “the most credible innovative solution among the sanctuary projects.”
Over and over again in the report, the Inspectorate emphasizes that the well-being of the whales and dolphins is the primary consideration in its recommendations to the Minister for Ecological Transition, who will make the governmental decision as to where these cetaceans should go.
Seeking a Collaborative Relationship with Marineland
Earlier this year, we were advised that Marineland had told the government that it would follow the government’s recommendations, whatever they might be.
“The guarantee of this welfare must be a cardinal criterion in the choice of destination for Marineland’s cetaceans.”
But it was also public knowledge that Marineland was making plans to send Wikie and Keijo to Kobe Suma SeaWorld, an entertainment park in Japan, where many think they would likely be separated from each other and used for breeding.
This clearly goes against the entire purpose and spirit of the law. And animal protection groups in France were outraged. Their anger is supported by public opinion, and they are challenging any plan that will compromise the well-being of the whales.
The Inspectorate’s #1 recommendation to the Minister is to “Ensure full cooperation with Marineland in the transfer project.” And the Whale Sanctuary team fully endorses this principle.
Right now, we remain on schedule to be able to welcome Wikie and Keijo to the sanctuary in Nova Scotia in the summer of 2025. And we are ready to engage in a cooperative relationship with Marineland Antibes in providing for the well-being of Wikie and Keijo at every phase of their retirement to sanctuary.
We have also made it clear that meeting this deadline is contingent on having raised the funds needed to complete the construction of the sanctuary and to provide for the whales’ long-term care.
Your donation is greatly appreciated and is critical to our being able to inform the government that we can welcome Wikie and Keijo to the sanctuary according to their schedule.
Thank you.