Orcas Wikie and Keijo travel from France to Loro Parque

Following the closure of Marineland in Antibes due to the ban on animal shows, two orcas, mother and son, will be transferred to Loro Parque in Tenerife. The decision has drawn criticism from animal welfare groups, who warn about their potential continued use in shows and breeding programs.

Two adult killer whales, one larger female and one smaller male, swimming side-by-side inside a massive transparent acrylic transport tank, hydraulic lifting arms and steel bracing framing the container, seawater sloshing against the walls during the loading process onto a cargo aircraft, ground crew in reflective vests securing straps and monitoring pressure gauges, industrial hangar lighting reflecting off wet surfaces, dramatic contrast between dark whale bodies and bright technical equipment, photorealistic cinematic engineering visualization, ultra-detailed mechanical and marine elements

The transfer and technical conditions of the new habitat 🐋

The transfer operation involves special containers with life support systems, constant monitoring, and veterinary staff. Loro Parque has pools with filtration systems and temperature control. However, the available space is limited compared to the ocean, and the cetaceans will move from one closed park to another with similar exhibition dynamics.

Change of pool, but the same circus 🎪

So Wikie and Keijo go from the French Riviera to the Canary Islands. A change of scenery, yes, but they will likely continue performing tricks for tourists to take photos. The difference is that now the artificial seabed will have plastic palm trees. Basically, like moving from one rented apartment to another, but with dead fish thrown in for free.