In brief
As concerns rise for two orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, trapped in a closed zoo, trainers have resorted to sexual stimulation to mitigate inbreeding fears. The closure of Marineland Antibes, driven by an impending law against marine mammal shows, has left these creatures in limbo, with their future uncertain as multiple stakeholders debate their rehoming.
The facility, which closed in January, is home to 24-year-old Wikie and her 11-year-old son Keijo. Amidst inbreeding concerns, trainers have taken unconventional measures to sexually stimulate Keijo, whose urges have intensified as he reaches maturity. Animal rights activists like Valerie Greene reflect on the troubling nature of this practice, noting it to be an unprecedented approach aimed at managing captive orcas.TideBreakers, an activist group, released footage revealing trainers performing these actions, raising alarms about the ethical implications and the welfare of the animals involved. Keijo's lineage complicates matters further; the orca is already inbred, being the progeny of half-siblings. The French ecology ministry has indicated that measures are being reviewed and a task force has been established to develop a strategy for the care of orcas post-Marilneand's closure.Despite acknowledged concerns, critics argue that the government’s procrastination has delayed essential rescue actions, leaving Keijo and Wikie in an environment deemed unsafe. Efforts to find a suitable sanctuary or a temporary housing solution remain stagnant, as the animal welfare community anxiously awaits updates on their fate.Without a clear resolution in sight, animal rights proponents express growing desperation to secure a safe and suitable home for these intelligent creatures, voicing fears that the current situation may only deteriorate without urgent intervention.
