In December 2019 Dolphinaria-Free Europe (DFE) reported on information received on the potential export of four orcas currently held at Marineland, Antibes in France.
This had been highlighted to Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi who subsequently contacted the facility requesting further information. Marineland Director-General, Pascal Picot replied stating they have no plans to transfer their orcas to China in 2020. DFE will, however, continue to monitor the situation closely given the direction France has been taking towards ending the display of cetaceans for entertainment in the country, Marineland owners Parques Reunidos may well decide to move the whales at a later date.
Although the coalition’s goal is to end the keeping and breeding of dolphins and whales in Europe, moving the orcas at Marineland to China would be totally unacceptable, as previous investigations of a selection of marine parks in the country showed the animals suffer shocking abuse and cruelty with welfare given little priority.