Spain marine park defends facilities after France orca transfer blocked

France has been struggling to find a home for Wikie, 24, and her 11-year-old calf Keijo after a French Riviera marine park, Marineland, closed down over a law banning shows featuring marine mammals from December 2026. Earlier this week, Spanish authorities blocked the transfer of the two orcas, as well as 12 dolphins, from Marineland after a committee ruled the parks due to host them lacked the proper facilities. The two killer whales were due to go to Loro Parque on the Canary island of Tenerife and the 12 dolphins to a Madrid aquarium.