The closure of Marineland Antibes, a marine zoo in France, has left the fate of two killer whales, Wikie and Keijo, uncertain. The zoo was forced to shut down due to new animal welfare laws and had been home to the two orcas, who were born in captivity and had spent their entire lives performing for visitors. Campaigners and zoo managers disagree on what should happen to the whales, with the French government already having blocked one proposal to rehome them in Japan.

Experts agree that releasing the whales into the wild would not be suitable, as they lack the skills to survive on their own. Hanne Strager, a marine biologist, compared the release of captive-born whales into the wild to "taking your dog out of the house and sending him into the woods to live freely as a wolf." Instead, campaigners are advocating for the whales to be rehomed in a sanctuary, where they can live out their lives in a more natural environment. The Whale Sanctuary Project in Canada has proposed building a 40-hectare ocean bay sanctuary that would provide the whales with a large expanse of water and human support.

However, not everyone is convinced that a sanctuary is the best solution. Strager warned that the proposed sanctuary might feel just as alien to Wikie and Keijo as the open ocean would. "We don't know if they see freedom the same way… Are they going to be scared because it is so different from what they're used to?" she said. Despite these concerns, many experts believe that a sanctuary is the best option for the whales and would provide them with a better life than they had in the zoo.

The closure of Marineland Antibes is the latest development in a campaign targeting marine zoos, which has gained momentum over the last 15 years. The documentary "Blackfish," which highlighted the treatment of orcas in captivity, has been credited with raising public awareness and sparking a shift in public opinion. As the debate over the fate of Wikie and Keijo continues, one thing is clear: the closure of Marineland Antibes marks the end of an era for marine zoos and a new beginning for the whales who called it home.