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A male killer whale at Marineland Antibes in southern France is being subjected to sexual stimulation by trainers in a bid to curb inbreeding with his mother as the facility faces closure. With the shutdown starting in January ahead of a new French law banning the use of whales in marine zoological shows, there has been no consensus among the French government, zoo managers, and animal rights groups regarding the orcas' future placement.
Currently, the pair, Wikie, 24, and her 11-year-old son Keijo, remain at the zoo under careful observation. Recent footage taken by activist group TideBreakers showed trainers standing at the edge of Keijo's pool, with one holding onto a flipper while stimulating the whale. This move has drawn ire, as orcas are social creatures that require interaction, and maintaining them in separate pools is detrimental to their health.
Marineland justified the action, stating that Keijo is entering adolescence and exhibiting strong sexual urges that needed managing to avoid adverse situations with his mother. They maintain that the procedure is necessary to ensure both whales' safety and well-being. The French ecology ministry, which oversees animal welfare, confirmed that they have been informed about Keijo being stimulated monthly, which was deemed "natural" and "painless."
The practice of stimulating male orcas is uncommon, according to Valerie Greene, a former killer whale trainer at SeaWorld. She expressed concern that such actions may reflect a troubling trend in the captivity industry, where animals are subjected to questionable treatment in the face of legal and ethical changes.
Notably, with no legal venues to breed orcas for performance purposes in France, animal rights activists fear Keijo's inbred lineage—his parents are half-siblings—could lead to a troubling exploitation of his genetics if exported to other countries with looser regulations.
Marineland has been involved in lengthy discussions regarding potential rehoming options, including a controversial proposal to move the orcas to a facility in Japan, which was ultimately rejected by French officials. There has been little progress in finding an appropriate sanctuary or alternative environment for Wikie and Keijo, despite ongoing inspections and assessments of Marineland's conditions, which many local advocates find inadequate.
Activists stress the urgency of the situation, particularly as the French government’s actions appear passive regarding the necessary relocation of the whales. Marketa Schusterova, co-founder of TideBreakers, lamented that efforts have stalled, with little likelihood of immediate solutions available for them.
The future remains uncertain for Wikie and Keijo as calls for a temporary housing solution grow louder amidst fears that their time in captivity is running out without a proper resolution in sight. The situation highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to care for captive orcas in light of changing welfare laws across Europe.
A male killer whale at Marineland Antibes in southern France is being subjected to sexual stimulation by trainers in a bid to curb inbreeding with his mother as the facility faces closure. With the shutdown starting in January ahead of a new French law banning the use of whales in marine zoological shows, there has been no consensus among the French government, zoo managers, and animal rights groups regarding the orcas' future placement.
Currently, the pair, Wikie, 24, and her 11-year-old son Keijo, remain at the zoo under careful observation. Recent footage taken by activist group TideBreakers showed trainers standing at the edge of Keijo's pool, with one holding onto a flipper while stimulating the whale. This move has drawn ire, as orcas are social creatures that require interaction, and maintaining them in separate pools is detrimental to their health.
Marineland justified the action, stating that Keijo is entering adolescence and exhibiting strong sexual urges that needed managing to avoid adverse situations with his mother. They maintain that the procedure is necessary to ensure both whales' safety and well-being. The French ecology ministry, which oversees animal welfare, confirmed that they have been informed about Keijo being stimulated monthly, which was deemed "natural" and "painless."
The practice of stimulating male orcas is uncommon, according to Valerie Greene, a former killer whale trainer at SeaWorld. She expressed concern that such actions may reflect a troubling trend in the captivity industry, where animals are subjected to questionable treatment in the face of legal and ethical changes.
Notably, with no legal venues to breed orcas for performance purposes in France, animal rights activists fear Keijo's inbred lineage—his parents are half-siblings—could lead to a troubling exploitation of his genetics if exported to other countries with looser regulations.
Marineland has been involved in lengthy discussions regarding potential rehoming options, including a controversial proposal to move the orcas to a facility in Japan, which was ultimately rejected by French officials. There has been little progress in finding an appropriate sanctuary or alternative environment for Wikie and Keijo, despite ongoing inspections and assessments of Marineland's conditions, which many local advocates find inadequate.
Activists stress the urgency of the situation, particularly as the French government’s actions appear passive regarding the necessary relocation of the whales. Marketa Schusterova, co-founder of TideBreakers, lamented that efforts have stalled, with little likelihood of immediate solutions available for them.
The future remains uncertain for Wikie and Keijo as calls for a temporary housing solution grow louder amidst fears that their time in captivity is running out without a proper resolution in sight. The situation highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to care for captive orcas in light of changing welfare laws across Europe.
