In a landmark victory for animal rights activists, Le Marineland d’Antibes (Marineland France), Europe’s largest marine animal park, will close its doors on January 5, 2025. This closure comes after years of relentless campaigning by PETA, other animal protection organizations, and countless supporters, including celebrities like Pamela Anderson. The announcement marks a major turning point in the fight against the exploitation of marine life.
Pamela Anderson, a long-time PETA honorary director, has been a passionate advocate for the animals at Marineland. Her involvement, which included iconic actions such as posing naked in a bathtub to highlight the cruel conditions of the animals’ tanks, brought international attention to the plight of marine animals in captivity. The campaign, supported by tens of thousands of PETA members and other activists, mobilized a global movement that helped bring about this monumental change.
The Fight for Freedom
The closure of Marineland France represents the culmination of years of efforts to end cetacean captivity. PETA’s campaigning included protests, petitions, exposés, and high-profile actions, all aimed at shedding light on the suffering of dolphins and orcas trapped in barren, chemically-treated tanks. These animals are often taken from the wild or bred in captivity, and forced to perform tricks for the entertainment of jeering crowds. The harsh reality is that these sensitive, intelligent creatures are denied everything that is natural to them—social interactions, expansive swimming territories, and the freedom to express themselves as they would in the wild.
One of the most heart-wrenching aspects of cetacean captivity is the physical and psychological toll it takes on these animals. Orcas and dolphins, whose complex social structures in the wild allow them to thrive, are often isolated in incompatible groups in marine parks. This leads to injuries, stress, and even death. Tragically, Marineland’s history includes the deaths of multiple orcas, with 25-year-old orca Inouk passing away earlier this year—just the latest in a long string of fatalities. The loss of these animals highlights the cruelty of captivity and the urgency of finding ethical alternatives.
The Path Forward: Sea Sanctuaries
In response to the growing evidence of the harm caused by marine parks, France introduced legislation in 2020 aimed at banning cetaceans in captivity. The law mandates that any remaining animals in these parks should be transferred to sea pens, offering a more natural and humane environment for the remainder of their lives. This move is a step in the right direction, and activists are now calling on Marineland to follow through on this legislation and send its remaining animals to sea sanctuaries, where they can live out their lives in peace and freedom.
PETA has been vocal in urging the park to make this ethical decision. The organization is also calling on other marine parks to follow Marineland’s example, pointing to the growing number of closures of similar facilities worldwide. For instance, Miami-Dade County recently terminated the lease for the Miami Seaquarium, and travel companies like Jet2 are no longer selling tickets to marine parks. These closures signal a growing shift away from the exploitation of marine animals.
A Win for Animals, A Win for Activists
The closure of Marineland is a testament to the power of collective action. When activists, organizations, and the public raise their voices in unison, change is possible. Pamela Anderson’s dedication, the tireless work of PETA, and the thousands of supporters who took part in protests and campaigns have contributed to this historic victory. But the fight is far from over.
PETA continues to call on the park to send all its remaining animals to sanctuaries, where they can experience a semblance of the freedom they were denied for so long. Activists are also urging travel companies like TUI to stop selling tickets to cruel marine parks, tightening the screws on these abusive businesses and making it clear that the public no longer supports animal exploitation for entertainment.
The closure of Marineland France is a dream come true for activists and a major milestone in the fight for animal rights. With continued activism and public pressure, it signals the beginning of the end for marine animal exploitation across the globe.