Abandoned orcas left in algae-infested pools

France’s last two captive orcas were filmed stranded in an algae‑infested marine park near Cannes months after the park closed, leaving the fate of the marine mammals uncertain. Animal activists have circulated footage of the killer whales’ plight in the hopes that the French government will rehome them before it’s too late. The orcas need to be removed from dangerous conditions that are posing significant risks to their health and safety, pleaded Marketa Schusterova, co‑founder of the animal advocacy group TideBreakers, which shared the heartbreaking video. Marineland Antibes reportedly shuttered on January 5, in line with France’s bans on dolphin and whale shows enacted in 2021, leaving the two orcas, Wikie, 23, and her 11‑year‑old son, Keijo, trapped inside their pens along with 12 dolphins. Heartwrenching aerial footage shows the cetaceans languishing in algae‑choked pools in a derelict stadium, like a scene out of a post‑apocalyptic SeaWorld. The situation in Marineland Antibes is an emergency and needs worldwide attention, lamented Schusterova. These are the last two remaining orcas in captivity in France and they should be moved quickly. Unfortunately, campaigns to rehouse the majestic beasts have so far fallen flat with French authorities, who are blocking efforts to transfer the animals to a marine zoo in Japan.