French Government Prioritizes Transfer of Marineland Orcas to Tenerife Over Sanctuaries
The French government is prioritizing the urgent transfer of Marineland’s two remaining orcas to a zoo in Tenerife, citing the immediate risk of structural collapse at the Antibes facility.
The future of the two remaining orcas at Marineland on the French Riviera has reached a critical turning point. Following an interview with Minister Delegate for Ecological Transition Mathieu Lefèvre, Nice-Matin reports that the French government is now prioritizing an urgent move to Loro Parque in Tenerife, rather than a transfer to Canadian sanctuaries. This shift is driven by the deteriorating state of the tanks, which officials warn are at risk of collapse.
Marineland closed permanently last January, ending 50 years of operations as legislative pressure mounted. With France set to ban all cetacean shows by 2026, the park—owned by the Spanish group Parques Reunidos—has become increasingly obsolete. Given the urgent need to address the failing infrastructure, the government has ruled out the semi-liberty sanctuaries previously supported by groups like Sea Shepherd.
French authorities state that the administrative steps for the transfer to Spain are complete, leaving the final decision to the management teams at Marineland and the Tenerife zoo. Minister Lefèvre, who is meeting with park management in Antibes this Friday, stressed that inaction could be fatal for the orcas. From the government’s perspective, moving the animals to the Canary Islands is the only way to ensure their immediate survival.
This situation highlights the complex logistical and ethical challenges facing traditional zoos across Europe. As operators look for ways to close their facilities, the debate over animal welfare continues. Environmental groups remain critical of the plan, questioning whether moving the orcas to another captive facility truly aligns with the welfare standards that the closure of the French park was intended to uphold.