Loro Parque has confirmed it is prepared to assist in the rescue of two orcas currently housed at Marineland in France, but only if the operation receives the explicit approval of the Spanish Government.
The announcement follows remarks by France’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Mathieu Lefévre, who expressed support for relocating the orcas, Wikie and Keijo, to Tenerife.
In a public statement, Loro Parque thanked the French authorities for their confidence in the institution and its facilities, but stressed that no transfer will proceed without legal and institutional guarantees from Spain.
“We want to save their lives”
Wolfgang Kiessling, president of the Loro Parque Group, said the park is willing to “rescue Wikie and Keijo and offer all available resources to ensure they do not die and can be permanently housed under conditions that guarantee their protection and welfare”.
However, he made clear that Spain’s central government must formally recognise Loro Parque’s suitability and provide the necessary legal certainty before any move can take place.
“This cannot be treated as a simple administrative procedure,” they said in an official statement. “It concerns the lives of two animals who require an immediate and permanent solution, technically viable and endorsed by the competent authorities of the countries involved.”
Sanctuary debate addressed
Loro Parque noted that the French minister himself has acknowledged there are currently no viable marine sanctuaries capable of accommodating the orcas, and that Tenerife appears to be the only realistic option to avoid what Kiessling described as a potentially fatal outcome.
The park argues that discussions about sanctuaries must give way to “pragmatic and scientifically supported solutions”.
Previous rescue experience
The Tenerife-based facility highlighted its previous involvement in rescue operations, including the case of Morgan, an orca found in poor health off the Dutch Wadden Sea coast.
Following a request from Dutch authorities and expert evaluation, Morgan was transferred to Loro Parque, where she has since remained.
The park describes its facilities as world-class, supported by a multidisciplinary team of veterinarians, biologists, animal behaviour specialists and international experts in cetacean care.
Calls for transparency and legal clarity
Loro Parque acknowledged it has faced administrative and media scrutiny in recent years, which it believes was not always supported by scientific evidence.
For that reason, it insists that any potential transfer of Wikie and Keijo must be handled with full transparency, clear technical reports and unequivocal backing from the relevant administrations.
The group also emphasised that the operation would not be driven by commercial motives.
“We do not earn a single euro more by having six orcas instead of four,” Kiessling stated. “We are acting out of moral, technical and professional responsibility.”
A long-standing conservation role
With more than 50 years of history, Loro Parque positions itself as a global reference point in conservation, biodiversity protection and environmental education.
Its associated foundation, Loro Parque Fundación, says it has supported more than 300 conservation projects worldwide, investing over 30 million dollars and helping to prevent the extinction of 18 species.
The park maintains that its facilities have been repeatedly inspected by Spanish authorities, including SEPRONA, and that international certifications and external audits confirm its compliance with animal welfare standards.
For now, the future of Wikie and Keijo remains uncertain. Loro Parque insists it stands ready to act, provided Spain formally approves what it describes as an unprecedented animal rescue operation.
