Marineland of Antibes

The Marineland of Antibes was a theme park founded in 1970 by Count Roland de La Poype in Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes), in the French Riviera. It included a marine zoological park with dolphinarium, a water park (Aquasplash), a children's play park (Kid's Island), mini golf (Adventure Golf) and a hotel (Marineland Resort). It was property of the Spanish multinational company Parques Reunidos.

It was one of the four French dolphinariums and one of the two European dolphinariums presenting orcas. With over 850,000 visitors in 2018, it was the most visited site in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

Since 2010, it has been accused of cetacean mistreatment, with the claim that dolphinariums can't assure proper & healthy captivity conditions for that species.

On 4 December 2024, Marineland of Antibes announced it would close permanently on 5 January 2025 due to declining attendance and increased regulation of animal captivity in France. It closed and abandoned ant least 14 animals to languish in France: mother and son orcas Wikie and Keijo among them. Following a 2021 law banning marine mammal performances as of 2026, Parques Reunidos (a former owner of Miami Seaquarium) abruptly closed their facility earlier this year without making accommodations for the animals living there. At least 14 marine mammals remain, including Wikie and Keijo.

With the facility closed to the public, drone footage is the only outlet for assessing the park and animal care, and the footage that has been captured is grim. Rust and thick green algae are obvious in the video of the tank. The animals need a solution NOW.

Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, which has been ongoing for many years, but is not yet built, hopes the orcas can find placement there. This solution was previously rejected by the French government, yet the Project recently made clear that they are continuing their efforts in France for Wikie and Keijo, Abandoned at the former Marineland Antibes.Time is of the essence, and the orcas simply must be moved to an appropriate facility that can properly manage their care and well-being as soon as possible..