US EditionWilliam Shatner urges French president to save orcas in abandoned marine park
MARINELAND ANTIBES, FRANCE, JUL 10 – William Shatner urges French President Macron to act amid stalled relocation efforts due to legal and logistical hurdles, with orcas needing transfer by December 2026 under French law.
- William Shatner urged French President Macron in 2025 to rescue orcas Wikie and Keijo trapped at the closed Marineland Antibes near Cannes.
- The rescue follows France’s 2021 law banning marine mammal captivity, forcing the park’s closure in January 2025 and mandating animal relocation by December 2026.
- The orcas remain in deteriorating tanks with algae buildup, and efforts to relocate them face legal, logistical, and international approval delays despite government and activist support.
- An international panel of 31 scientists stated orca populations are still declining, calling for urgent measures including quieter waters and more salmon, supported by drone data showing 22 of 73 whales in poor condition.
- Shatner’s plea highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to save the orcas, reflecting broader failures in conservation on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border and challenges in enforcing protections.
27 Articles
27 Articles
SeaWorld “Bullies Its Employees,” Ex-Trainer Claims Animal Care Is Declining
A former SeaWorld Orlando employee has claimed that the park is mistreating both its employees and animals. Since the release of Blackfish (2013), negative opinions about SeaWorld’s theme parks have become increasingly common. The documentary – which followed Tilikum, a killer whale involved in three of the four fatal attacks of orcas on humans – makes a pretty compelling case that, no, marine mammals do not belong in tanks. Credit: SeaWorld Rel…
Is the Show Finally Over for These Whales and Dolphins?
Over the past six months, algae has spread bloom by bloom across the crumbling tanks of a now-closed marine park called Marineland Antibes on the French Riviera, polluting the waters where more than a dozen marine creatures remain stranded. Two orcas—mother and son—and 12 dolphins, who once leapt for eager audiences, now circle the pools aimlessly, kept alive only by the care of a skeleton crew. Nautilus Members enjoy an ad-free experience. Lo…
Star Trek's William Shatner pleads with French President to save two orcas - Daily Star
Star Trek legend William Shatner has sent a video message to French President Emmanuel Macron, imploring him to make sure that two orcas are moved from a deserted French marine park
Altruistic killer whales? Wild Orcas are constantly being watched as they offer humans prey such as fish or even dolphins. But what is behind it? Now that biologists have collected 34 such cases, they consider it possible that the marine mammals simply do this out of altruistic motives. Or, for example, have darker things in mind... Even when our ancestors were still living as hunters and collectors, they shared food and other things. Bonobos an…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
