Two young orca, named Valentin & Inouk, look set to be moved from Marineland, Antibes (France) to L’Oceanagraphic, Valencia (Spain). Both parks are owned by Spanish-based company Parques Reunidos who earlier this year purchased Blackpool Zoo, Bournemouth Oceanarium and Lake Windermere’s Aquarium of the Lakes (read about Parques Reunidos links to UK facilities here)

Although these orca were born in captivity in Antibes, there can be little doubt that their removal from their mothers will be extremely stressful for the animals concerned, as close bonds which exist between mother, calf and siblings are well documented in this species. Orcas are extremely intelligent, inquisitive and sentient marine mammals that, in the wild, are top predators in their natural environment.

Even Oceanographic Park’s director, Pablo Areitio has been quoted as stating “they are animals that can easily use the equipment, they are very inquisitive and everything has to be very well designed so that they suffer no harm”. Mr Areitio went on to add “Moreover, they normally need a higher number of trainers than a dolphin might need since it is more complicated to deal with them, and their intelligence means that one must keep more of an eye on them.” The very fact that Mr Areitio is recognising the orcas inquisitive nature and intelligence in our opinion confirms that the confinements of captivity must be, for them, a living nightmare.

How can a facility holding these animals in a confined space, with man made features, hope to replicate the vastness and diversity of the open ocean which is these animals natural habitat, truth is it cannot. Even if facilitis are able to meet the spatial requirements for the animals physical needs, a fact which we would argue, the effects captivity has on the mental state of these animals has to be addressed.

Margaux Dodds, Director of the Marine Connection comments "Many orca in captivity die from stress related illnesses and with attacks on trainers and fellow pool mates increasing, the Marine Connection question both the ethical and welfare issues surrounding the confinement of these wide-ranging marine mammals in captivity. Whilst conservation of the species if vital, this can best be achieved by looking at ways of reducing any threats to orca in the wild, protecting both them and their natural habitat, NOT by keeping them in captivity."