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Report on the Status of Captive Orcas at Marineland of Antibes and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report details the current situation of two orcas, Wikie and Keijo, who remain at the now-defunct Marineland of Antibes in France. The case highlights critical issues related to animal welfare, legislative responsibility, and the global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1.0 Background and Legislative Framework

The Marineland of Antibes facility ceased operations in January, influenced by declining public attendance and significant legislative changes in France. This reflects a broader societal shift towards more ethical and sustainable practices, particularly concerning wildlife.

1.1 Legislative Mandates and SDG 16

In 2021, France enacted a landmark law, set to be fully implemented by December 2026, which prohibits the captive breeding and use of cetaceans for entertainment. This legislative action represents a significant advancement for institutional justice and animal welfare, aligning with the principles of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which advocates for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

1. The law was passed in 2021.
2. It bans the use of orcas and dolphins for live entertainment.
3. The deadline for rehoming animals is December 2026.

Despite this progressive legislation, the transition has created a precarious situation for the remaining animals, leaving a mother orca, Wikie (23), and her son, Keijo (11), in an abandoned facility.

2.0 Animal Welfare and Health Conditions

Advocacy groups, including EarthDay, have raised urgent concerns about the deteriorating physical and mental health of the two orcas. Their current confinement directly contravenes the principles of promoting well-being, a core tenet of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

2.1 Environmental and Psychological Impact

Reports based on drone footage indicate the orcas are being held in substandard conditions that fail to meet their biological and psychological needs.

• The animals are confined to tanks described as algae-filled and decaying.
• They lack the mental stimulation and enrichment necessary for highly intelligent marine mammals.
• This environment contributes to stress, boredom, and self-harming behaviors, such as gnawing on concrete and metal fixtures.

2.2 Mortality Rates and Health Risks

The history of the facility underscores the health risks associated with captivity, which are inconsistent with conservation and well-being objectives. Peer-reviewed studies indicate that captive orcas have a mortality rate 2.5 times higher than their wild counterparts. Recent deaths at the facility, including Wikie’s firstborn son (Moana) and brother (Inouk), have been attributed to conditions linked to long-term confinement, such as poor hygiene and stress.

3.0 Analysis of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Implications

The plight of Wikie and Keijo serves as a critical case study for the implementation and challenges of several SDGs, particularly those related to biodiversity and sustainable practices.

3.1 SDG 14: Life Below Water

The primary goal affected is SDG 14: Life Below Water, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Keeping apex marine predators in conditions that lead to premature death and suffering is fundamentally at odds with this goal. The situation highlights a failure to protect marine biodiversity, even for individual animals under human care.

3.2 SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The closure of Marineland due to declining ticket sales demonstrates a positive shift in consumer behavior, aligning with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The public is increasingly rejecting production models that rely on animal exploitation for entertainment. The park’s business model proved to be unsustainable in the face of evolving ethical standards.

3.3 SDG 15: Life on Land

While focused on marine life, this issue also relates to the broader principles of SDG 15: Life on Land, which calls for halting biodiversity loss. Protecting individual members of a keystone species like the orca is integral to respecting and preserving the planet’s overall biodiversity.

4.0 Conclusion and Recommendations

The continued confinement of Wikie and Keijo in a deteriorating, closed-down facility represents an urgent animal welfare crisis and a failure to fully implement the spirit of France’s progressive legislation. The French ecology ministry, which has final authority over the orcas’ relocation, must expedite the process of finding a suitable and sustainable sanctuary.

Immediate action is required to ensure the well-being of these animals and to uphold France’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. The resolution of this case will set a precedent for how nations transition away from outdated practices toward a more sustainable and ethical coexistence with wildlife.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • This goal is directly relevant as the article’s central focus is on the welfare of orcas (killer whales), which are marine mammals. The discussion revolves around their confinement, health, and the ethical implications of keeping them outside their natural ocean habitat. The article describes their enclosure as “algae-filled tanks,” highlighting the unnatural and harmful conditions for marine life in captivity.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • While orcas are marine animals, SDG 15’s principles of protecting biodiversity and halting its loss are applicable. The goal aims to protect all animal species from cruelty and exploitation. The article details the suffering of the orcas, including premature death and self-harm due to stress, which connects directly to the broader goal of ensuring the welfare and protection of all animal life.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article connects to this SDG by highlighting a shift in consumption patterns. It mentions that the marine park closed due to a “decline in ticket sales,” indicating that the public is becoming more aware and choosing not to support entertainment based on animal captivity. This reflects a move towards more responsible consumption and a rejection of unsustainable and unethical production models (animal entertainment parks).
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • This goal is addressed through the mention of a “landmark law change in the country regarding the keeping of creatures captive.” The French government’s action to ban the use of aquatic mammals for entertainment and breeding programs demonstrates the role of strong institutions and legislation in promoting animal welfare and sustainable practices. The law represents a formal, justice-oriented approach to resolving the ethical issues discussed.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 14 (Life Below Water):
   • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts…” The article’s description of the orcas being left in “algae-filled tanks” and a “facility slowly crumbling around them” directly contrasts with the principle of protecting marine life from adverse impacts. The campaign to save the orcas is an effort to mitigate the severe negative impacts of their artificial environment.
2. Under SDG 15 (Life on Land):
   • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The article highlights the high mortality rate of captive orcas, stating they “die at 2.5 times the rate of their wild counterparts.” This premature death contributes to the loss of biodiversity and underscores the urgency of protecting these species from the harms of captivity.
   • Target 15.7: “Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.” While not about illegal trafficking, the French law banning captive breeding and entertainment directly addresses the “supply” side of the commercial exploitation of protected marine animals for entertainment, which is a related form of exploitation.
3. Under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production):
   • Target 12.8: “By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.” The article shows this target in action. The work of “animal rights advocates” and organizations like “EarthDay” has raised public awareness, leading to a “decline in ticket sales” and demonstrating a shift in public consciousness towards lifestyles that do not support animal cruelty.
4. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.b: “Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.” The article explicitly mentions the 2021 French legislation that “ban[s] the use of aquatic mammals, such as orcas and dolphins, for live entertainment and captive breeding programmes.” This law is a clear example of a national policy being enforced to promote sustainable and ethical treatment of animals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Existence of National Legislation:
   • The article explicitly mentions the “landmark law change” in France in 2021. The existence and enforcement of such laws serve as a direct indicator of progress under SDG 16.b.
2. Mortality and Lifespan Rates:
   • The article provides specific data points that can be used as indicators. It states that a “peer reviewed study found that captive orcas die at 2.5 times the rate of their wild counterparts.” It also contrasts the lifespan of wild orcas (up to 80s) with captive ones, many of whom “die before they reach 20.” These statistics are clear indicators for measuring the impact of captivity and progress towards SDG 15.5.
3. Number of Animals in Captivity:
   • An implied indicator is the number of animals held in entertainment facilities. The article notes the closure of Marineland and the rehoming of “4,000 animals,” with only two orcas remaining. A reduction in the total number of animals in such facilities is a measurable indicator of progress.
4. Economic and Public Awareness Indicators:
   • The “decline in ticket sales” is a quantifiable economic indicator of shifting public opinion and consumption patterns, relevant to SDG 12.8. The activities of campaigners and animal rights advocates also imply a rise in public awareness.
5. Animal Welfare Conditions:
   • The article describes the orcas’ poor living conditions: “circling endlessly in green, algae-filled water,” “poor hygiene,” and self-harming behaviors like “gnaw[ing] on the concrete sides of the pool.” These observable conditions serve as qualitative indicators of animal welfare, relevant to the protection goals of SDG 14 and SDG 15.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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