People Spot Two Lonely Orcas Still Stuck in Closed French Zoo Months Later
Orcas Still Trapped in French Marine Park
Orcas Waiting for a New Home
Two orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, are still stuck in a closed marine park in France. The park, called Marineland Antibes, is in the southeast of France. It shut down in January, but the orcas are still inside. People are very worried about them. A sad video shows the killer whales swimming slowly around their small tank. They do not know what to do. They look bored and lonely.
French officials are working hard to find the orcas a safe place to live. Wikie is 23 years old. Her son Keijo is 11. Both were born in captivity, so they have never lived in the wild ocean.
A group in Canada, called The Whale Sanctuary Project, has said they can take care of the orcas. Their sanctuary is in Nova Scotia, which is on the east coast of Canada. The group’s president, Lori Marino, says their sanctuary is “the only option left” for Wikie and Keijo. She says they have done water tests and checks on the area. They even have a lease from the Canadian government. But earlier this year, the French government said “no” because they were worried about the environment.
The French Minister for Ecology, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, hopes to find a sanctuary in Europe instead. Many zoos around the world have offered to take Wikie and Keijo. But animal rights groups say the orcas should go to a big, safe whale sanctuary. They want the orcas to have more space to swim and to live a more natural life. They do not want the whales forced to breed or perform tricks for people.
Why Sanctuaries Are Better for Orcas
Some experts say the Nova Scotia sanctuary is the best choice. “If you don’t even have a site, you’re years away from being a viable sanctuary,” Ms. Marino said. Her group has done many studies to make sure the water is good for whales. They want to help Wikie and Keijo as soon as possible.
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David Phillips from the Earth Island Institute also supports sending the orcas to a big, natural sea sanctuary. He says, “We have been strong advocates for the past year that these two orcas should be relocated to a seaside sanctuary, which would be larger, in natural sea water, and save them from repetitive performances in concrete tanks.”
He says the Nova Scotia sanctuary is a great choice. It was even picked before as the best option by the French government’s own report. “Orcas don’t belong in concrete tanks; they belong in the ocean,” Mr. Phillips says.
He also thanked the Spanish government for stopping the orcas from being sent to a zoo in Tenerife. “The Spanish government deserves credit for stopping the relocation into the dangerous, unsafe tanks of Loro Parque Zoo,” he said.
There are also about twelve dolphins still at Marineland Antibes. People hope all the animals will soon find better homes.
Tourist Attacked by a Crocodile in the Philippines
A Dangerous Selfie in the Zoo
In the Philippines, a tourist was hurt after trying to take a selfie with a crocodile. This happened at Kabug Mangrove Park and Wetlands zoo. The zoo is in Zamboanga Sibugay. The date was April 28. The 29-year-old man saw a crocodile in the water. He thought the croc was a fake statue because it was very still. So, he climbed over a fence and got close to take a photo.
But the crocodile was real! The man was not safe at all. As soon as he got close, the crocodile grabbed his arm with its strong jaws. Crowds of people screamed and shouted for him to get away. The crocodile, named Lalay, held on and then bit his thigh.
The crocodile even did a “death roll.” This is when a crocodile grabs something and spins it around very fast. It is a way crocodiles break their food into smaller pieces. The University of Tennessee says, “Contrary to popular belief, crocodiles can’t chew, so they use a powerful bite coupled with a full-bodied twisting motion—a death roll—to disable, kill, and dismember prey into smaller pieces.”
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The attack lasted 30 minutes before a zoo worker came. The worker used a piece of cement to hit the crocodile on the head. Finally, the crocodile let go.
How the Tourist Survived
The man was very lucky to survive. He was rushed to the hospital. Doctors gave him more than 50 stitches to close his wounds. People were shocked he lived. Some people wondered why anyone would do something so risky.
Police Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga said, “The tourist was walking around the area, then he saw the crocodile, which he thought was just a plastic fixture. He climbed the fence and entered the enclosure, and the crocodile attacked him.”
The police warned people not to do this. Sgt. Sajolga said, “This kind of behavior is very dangerous. Nobody should ever enter an animal’s enclosure at the zoo. He put other people’s lives at risk and he is very lucky to have survived.”
A Lesson for All Visitors
Onlookers were glad the man was alive, but many were upset by his actions. Some called it a “stupid thing” to do. People should always listen to zoo rules and never try to touch wild animals, even if they look calm or fake.
Zoos are made to keep animals and people safe. Fences and signs are there for a reason. Wild animals, like crocodiles, are very strong and can be dangerous. This story is a warning for everyone to be careful and smart when visiting zoos.
Dog Saved from Flood in Florida
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Brave Trooper Rescues Abandoned Dog
In Florida, a video went viral showing a dog tied to a fence during a hurricane. The dog was left alone on the side of a highway called I-75. The water was so deep it covered the dog’s legs. A kind police officer slowly walked up to the scared dog. The dog barked and growled. But the officer said softly, “I don’t blame you. It’s okay.”
The officer was from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). They shared the rescue on social media. Many people watched the video and felt sad for the dog. The FHP wrote, “FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please.”
Later, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said, “The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care. Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health.”
People online were happy the dog was safe. Some suggested naming the dog “Trooper” after the officer who saved him. Others were angry at the owner for leaving the dog during a big storm. Many people called for the owner to be punished.
One person wrote, “This is ridiculous. The owner needs to face legal consequences.” Another said, “Find the owner and lock them up!” Someone else wrote, “People who harm children and pets are the lowest in society and need to be dealt with accordingly.” Another said, “I hope that dog is chipped, and they find the owner and charge them with animal abuse. That is horrible. We are literally getting hit by a hurricane in hours.”
The Dog’s New Chance at Life
Some people were worried that the owner would get the dog back. But the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said that was not true. They said, “The dog was rescued and taken to a vet where he received a clean bill of health. He is safe and being cared for at this time.”
People thanked the troopers for saving the dog. One wrote, “Wow. People can be so heartless. Thank you for saving him.” Another said, “Absolutely heartbreaking and cruel that anyone would abandon their pet. Well done and thank you for rescuing them.”
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This story reminds everyone to take care of pets, especially during storms or disasters. Pets depend on us to keep them safe.
Polar Bear Attack in the Arctic
Worker Attacked by Polar Bears
A rare and sad event happened in the Arctic. On August 8, a worker was killed by two polar bears on Brevoort Island. This island is southeast of Baffin Island in Canada’s Nunavut territory. The worker was with Nasittuq Corporation. This company helps the Canadian and US governments with special jobs.
The company said in a statement, “It is with deep sorrow that Nasittuq Corporation confirms a tragic incident occurred yesterday at one of our work locations on Brevoort Island, Nunavut. An attack by two polar bears has resulted in the loss of one of our valued employees. Nasittuq employees responded to the scene, and one of the animals was put down.”
Safety and Support for Workers
Nasittuq said they are helping the worker’s family. They are also giving counseling to other employees. The company’s president, Chris Webb, told the news, “We need to respect the family in this tragic situation, and let the [investigators] and the authorities do their job.”
Nasittuq wants to keep its workers safe. They are working with local police and other groups to study what happened. They said, “We are deeply committed to ensuring a safe working environment.”
The company is not sharing the worker’s name to protect the family’s privacy. They asked people to understand and give the family space.
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Rare Attacks by Polar Bears
Polar bear attacks on people are very unusual. Since 2023, this is only the second deadly attack. In Alaska, a woman and her son were killed by a polar bear during a snowstorm. In 2018, a man in Canada also died from a polar bear attack.
Polar bears usually stay away from people. But sometimes, they can be dangerous, especially if they are hungry or surprised.
If you ever lose someone you love, there are groups to help. You can talk to The Compassionate Friends at (877) 969-0010 if you need support.
Why These Animal Stories Matter
All these stories show how important it is to respect animals and nature. Orcas need big, safe places to swim. Crocodiles are wild and must not be touched. Dogs count on people to keep them safe, especially in storms. Even polar bears, who live far from cities, can still cross paths with humans.
Animals can feel scared, lonely, or angry, just like people. We must always act kindly and carefully around them. When we follow rules and learn about animals, we can keep both them and ourselves safe.
“Orcas don’t belong in concrete tanks; they belong in the ocean.”
“Nobody should ever enter an animal’s enclosure at the zoo.”
“Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75...Do NOT do this to your pets please.”
“An attack by two polar bears has resulted in the loss of one of our valued employees.”
Let’s remember to care for all creatures—big or small, wild or tame. When we do, we make the world better for everyone.
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