Loro Parque urges France to act as two orcas remain stranded after marineland closure
The president of the Loro Parque group, Wolfgang Kiessling, has issued a public appeal to the French authorities to make an urgent and responsible decision on the future of Wikie and Keijo — two orcas that have been left in limbo for more than a year following the permanent closure of Marineland Antibes.
Speaking on the Wild Voices podcast this week, Kiessling warned that the current situation cannot continue without risking the animals’ welfare, stressing that time is running out. He stated bluntly that “Loro Parque is the only solution to save the two French orcas from death.”
Two decades of specialised experience
Loro Parque’s team of marine mammal experts and veterinarians has over 20 years of experience caring for orcas. Its flagship facility, Orca Ocean, celebrates its 20th anniversary on 17th February and is internationally recognised for meeting strict veterinary and technical standards designed to ensure animal welfare.
Kiessling highlighted that the park’s scientific research over the past two decades has contributed to marine conservation efforts around the world, including long-term monitoring of the orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar.
He also noted that Loro Parque’s work complies fully with France’s recent legislation on cetaceans, particularly regarding education, research and conservation programmes.
“We are ready to take them immediately”
During the interview, Kiessling expressed his willingness to work directly with French and European authorities to organise the immediate transfer of Wikie and Keijo, guaranteeing suitable accommodation and expert care.
“We are ready to receive them,” he said. “We have the facilities, a fully dedicated team, and the necessary experience. Our priority is their welfare. If France authorises it, we will act immediately.”
He insisted that any decision must be based on scientific criteria, not emotion.
Criticism of unrealistic proposals
Kiessling was openly critical of certain animal-rights groups, accusing them of shaping public debate with unfeasible proposals. He argued that some organisations have become “marketing companies”, making promises with no scientific or technical foundation.
A planned sanctuary in Nova Scotia, Canada, once put forward as a possible destination for Wikie and Keijo, has failed to materialise — something Kiessling says demonstrates the massive technical, regulatory, logistical and financial challenges of such projects.
He stressed that caring for cetaceans requires specialised knowledge, purpose-built infrastructure and highly trained teams, none of which can be improvised.
Kiessling clarified that the offer to take the two orcas has no commercial motivation, noting that the park would not gain more visitors by housing six orcas instead of four.
“It’s not about money. It’s about responsibility and saving the lives of two animals,” he said.
Backed by leading zoological organisations
Loro Parque emphasised that it has the support of major scientific and professional bodies in Europe and internationally, including the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM), the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). All advocate decisions based on science, animal welfare and technical viability, and all reach the same conclusion regarding the future of Wikie and Keijo.
Kiessling closed the podcast by reiterating his readiness to cooperate: “This is not about ideology. It is about saving the lives of two animals and ensuring they have a dignified future within the European scientific and legal framework.”
Loro Parque has once again confirmed its full willingness to work with the relevant authorities to provide an immediate, technically sound and welfare-based solution for Wikie and Keijo.
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