Yesterday DFE member One Voice obtained a temporary ban on the movement of 3 orcas to Japan from France. A hearing has taken place to see if the ban can be extended to allow legal experts to carry an inspection whilst the orcas are still in situ. Update shortly. Photo:One Voice

Orcas at Marineland, France, cannot be moved to Japan before the end of the independent expert assessment.

Dolphinaria-Free Europe has written to the French Minister of Ecology and Secretary of State for Biodiversity raising our concerns over the proposed move of orcas Inouk, Wikie, and Keijo, from France to Japan.    Read the letter here t.ly/YIE5_

Dolfinarium Harderwijk again apply for 8 of their dolphins to be moved to Hainan Ocean Paradise in China but Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality Piet Adema blocks the sale due to China’s lack of animal welfare legislation. dfe.ngo/harderwijk-aga…

Soon, Wikie, Inouk and Keijo will again be on public display at Marineland, France. The new show 'Ultimate' is ambiguous, as this will be the last orca show. Their final destination - in captivity elsewhere, or given the the opportunity to retire to a sanctuary. Time will tell.

DFE are delighted to report that Jet2Holidays will, from 27 March, cease to sell any excursions to marine parks holding dolphins and whales. This will include Loro Parque, Tenerife which currently holds the orca known as Morgan. dfe.ngo/uk-tour-operat…

Inouk, the 25-year-old orca who died recently at Marineland, France, succumbed to local inflammation after swallowing a piece of metal which found its way into his tank. Inouk's general health was of concern. Tissue and fluid analyses are still underway to complete full results.

“Orca – Black & White Gold,” a documentary about the orca trade, will screen at the Cannes Film Festival, May 20. It will be followed by a Q&A session with Muriel Arnal, President of DFE member organisation One Voice. Trailer can be found at youtube.com/watch?v=XSqHzT…

2 beluga whales have been relocated from Kharkov Dolphinarium Nemo, Ukraine to Oceanographic, Spain. 15 year old male Plombir and 14 year old female Miranda will join Yulka and son Kylu, currently at the facility. We are investigating further into details of transfer permits.

Orcas are highly intelligent marine mammals and belong in the wild. Keeping them confined is cruel. Say NO to orca shows.

First dolphin calf born in Romania has died. It was born March 2024 at Constanta Dolphinarium. Mother Chen Chen was caught from Taiji drive hunts some years back, the calf's father was relocated from Ukraine. Photo: Constanta Dolphinarium

Today, several members of Dolphinaria-Free Europe joined forces with other animal welfare organisations, uniting at TUI Group’s offices in Berlin, to show there is support across Europe for them to stop selling tickets to captive dolphin venues. dfe.ngo/demanding-tui-…

Following an appeal by Dolphinaria Free-Europe member, One Voice, a gathering will take place on August 10th at Marineland Park, Antibes, calling for the the transfer of their last 2 orcas to a sanctuary. Over 220 organisations are supporting the event. francebleu.fr/infos/societe/…

An event was recently held outside Marineland, Antibes, (France) to raise awareness about the captive cetaceans currently held at the facility. dfe.ngo/third-annual-e… Photo: One Voice

Piece from our members One Voice regarding the future of Marinelands’ dolphins and orcas. one-voice.fr/en/news/the-re…

Dolphinaria Free Europe member One Voice is attending a hearing in southern France, which will decide whether Wikie and Keijo, 2 orcas held at Marineland, Antibes, will be retired to a sanctuary or transferred to another facility. one-voice.fr/news/action-le… Update to follow.

UPDATE! We have been advised by colleagues at One Voice that the decision on the future of the two orcas will be made on 5th December. We await the outcome and will report further.

Flemish government rules that the dolphinarium at Boudewijn Seapark in Belgium which has been the subject of debate for many years, must close by 2037. dfe.ngo/only-dolphinar…

French Minister for Ecological Transition and Energy, Agnès Pannier-Runacher opposes the move of remaining orcas at Marineland, Antibes, (Wikie and Keijo her son), to a facility in western Japan due to the country’s lack of animal welfare regulations. dfe.ngo/minister-oppos…

Marineland France today announced its plan for possible permanent closure in early January 2025. facebook.com/dolphinaria.fr… Photo: One Voice