World Animal Protection

In the wild, orcas Wikie and her son Keijo would roam the ocean together with their family. They would dive, play and speak their own orca language, potentially encountering danger. They would be free. 

But unfortunately, these animals have not been granted that happiness. The contrast with life in the wild could not be greater: every day, Wikie swims laps in her poorly maintained tank. Keijo swims sluggishly and aimlessly behind her.

All their lives, Wikie and Keijo have performed tricks for the public at the French Marineland. When Marineland closed this year, there finally seemed to be hope for the animals. They might be able to go to a special reserve in Canada (which is under development), where orcas can swim in the real sea.

Wikie and Keijo were born in captivity and have never lived in the wild, which means they lack essential survival skills. They cannot fend for themselves in the wild. The marine sanctuary in Canada would therefore be a possible solution for the animals. But their chance of a life similar to life in the wild was largely destroyed by the French government. Everywhere, the threat of transfer to another venue: Loro Parque in Tenerife, doing tricks, hangs over them like a shadow. 

Orcas do not belong in venues with dolphin attractions. They do not need the spotlight or applause, but space, freedom and social contact to behave naturally. Everybody already knows this. So how is it possible that 3,000 orcas and dolphins are still locked up in these venues?

This has to change. And it can change. But the animals need your help to make it happen.
With your help, we can increase the pressure on governments and call out travel companies such as TUI, which still make huge profits from selling tickets for dolphin attractions. We also invest in marine sanctuaries: enclosed bays where the animals can live in the sea and receive medical care and rest without public shows and direct contact with tourists.

Responsible rescue centres for cetaceans are not easy to find, a problem that World Animal Protection has been working on for some time.
For example, we are involved in the development of the first European rescue centre for dolphins from captivity in Lipsi, Greece. In Canada, we support “The Whale Sanctuary Project” – which could be a possible solution for Wikie and Keijo. The development and establishment of these sanctuaries costs a lot of money.

Will you help us?
Every day in a grey concrete tank is one too many for animals like Wikie and Keijo. Please donate today and give orcas and dolphins a life without doing tricks.
Thank you in advance!

Links:

• Our Report: Stories of suffering - what TUI isn't telling you