The Sea Shepherd France organization denounces the death of a male dolphin transferred from Marineland Antibes to a Spanish wildlife park.
Accountability Must Be Taken
“The carnage continues”, the Sea Shepherd France association posted on X, voicing sharp concern after having widely warned in advance about the danger of transferring such animals in the height of a heat wave. Born in captivity on March 13, 1997 at the Madrid Zoo, he joined Marineland Antibes in 2011. In July, he was transferred to Selwo Marina, in Spain. “A lifetime spent living in tanks, never knowing the ocean. On July 9, we warned: ‘A transfer in the middle of summer can kill.’ We warned about the risks linked to extreme heat, transport stress, and the rupture of social bonds. We mobilized and took the matter to court to block this transfer. It was kept despite our warnings. We had also cautioned: ‘If they push ahead, they will bear the consequences.’”
“After Marineland Canada’s five whales died following their transfer—four belugas and one dolphin, it’s Rocky’s turn.” The association had warned about the “risks related to extreme heat, transport stress and the rupture of social bonds.” Seven other dolphins remain in Malaga. “The two orcas Wikie and Keijo also need a solution. How much longer will we wait? We are ready to work with the authorities, but our resolve cannot replace their decisions, and the animals cannot wait indefinitely.” By calling on the minister as well as the President of the Republic, Sea Shepherd France states that it “is time to respond, to meet with us and to make these sanctuaries possible. Before another death reminds us of the price of inaction.”
“Aiding the State in Finding a Solution”
For Sea Shepherd France, “the government and those responsible for the transfer must now be held to account. This timeline requires that the role of transport and the conditions of reception be examined independently. We demand transparency about veterinary conclusions and about decisions taken despite the risks flagged. All responsibilities must be established. No fault should go unpunished. We will not let Rocky’s death go unspoken.”
“We are not here only to point fingers, to criticize or to denounce, ” remind animal advocates. “We are here to help. Help the state find a solution. Prevent other dolphins from dying and their suffering from continuing. But to be able to help, we must be allowed to move forward. With our partners, we have been working tirelessly on sanctuary projects for dolphins and orcas in France. These efforts have been submitted to the ministry nearly two months ago. Since then, no response, no meeting to move forward with the authorities. We cannot carry these projects alone. This is not just a money issue: their realization also depends on administrative approvals. And these decisions are in the hands of the State.”
Read also
Orcas at Marineland Antibes: between unkept promises and controversial transfers
