In a troubling turn of events, trainers at Marineland Antibes, a closed marine zoo in France, are using sexual stimulation on a male killer whale, Keijo, to prevent potential inbreeding with his mother, Wikie. The facility, which shut its doors this January, has been unable to find a new home for the pair amidst ongoing disputes among French authorities, zoo managers, and animal rights activists about their relocation.
With a new French law set to take effect in December prohibiting the use of whales in marine zoo performances, the situation for Keijo and his mother has become increasingly dire. This impasse has left them in their pools, receiving care from trainers while mounting concerns about their well-being persist. An activist group, TideBreakers, recently acquired footage showing trainers standing by Keijo’s pool, where one was seen holding onto a flipper while the other stimulated the orca, a method deemed necessary as he enters adolescence with heightened sexual urges.
Marineland contends that this stimulation is a natural and pain-free method to alleviate Keijo's urges while protecting both whales from fighting and injury. The French ecology ministry has been informed that this stimulation occurs monthly, with veterinary oversight. However, Valerie Greene from TideBreakers, who has extensive experience in marine mammal care, has condemned this practice as unusual and indicative of a broader ethical failure within the captivity industry.
She highlights the risks associated with Keijo’s inbreeding, as he is the product of two half-siblings, raising concerns regarding the potential future exploitation of his genetic material for breeding. While Marineland has denied any intentions to collect or sell orca semen, with governmental approval required for such actions, the focus on Keijo's sexual stimulation has sparked outrage and dismay.
In an effort to relocate the orcas, the ecology ministry previously rejected proposals for moving them to a marine zoo in Japan and has faced criticism for its inaction regarding their welfare. Despite calls for a new sanctuary to be created in Europe, no significant progress has been made, leaving their current environment a topic of grave concern.
Critics argue that a lack of proactive measures by the French government has contributed to the stalled rehoming efforts, leading to what many view as a potential crisis. The urgency of their situation has been underscored by experts calling for immediate interventions, such as the construction of a temporary facility until a more appropriate sanctuary can be established.
With the situation remaining unresolved, advocates warn that time is running out for Wikie and Keijo, as they await a fate uncertain in an increasingly untenable setting. The persistent question remains: what will become of these orcas and the ethical implications surrounding their continued captivity?
