Wolfgang Kiessling, Loro Parque President
Loro Parque is willing to collaborate in the rescue of the Marineland orcas to ensure their survival, if requested and provided the operation has the explicit approval of the Spanish Government
“Loro Parque has the willingness and firm commitment to collaborate with public authorities, assisting and rescuing Wikie and Keijo and providing all its resources so that these animals do not die and can be hosted permanently in conditions that ensure their protection and welfare; however, this requires the explicit approval of the Spanish Government,” stated Wolfgang Kiessling.
Following the announcement by France’s Minister Delegate for Ecological Transition, Mathieu Lefévre, supporting the transfer of the orcas Wikie and Keijo to Tenerife, Loro Parque wishes to publicly thank the French authorities for their trust in the institution and its facilities. Nevertheless, the park considers it essential to clarify that, despite its historical commitment to animal welfare, the institution will not proceed with the rescue and permanent hosting of the orcas until the Spanish Government guarantees the legal certainty of the process and formally recognises Loro Parque’s suitability to host these two animals, expressly approving the transfer.
Loro Parque reiterates that its stance is based on a principle of responsibility. The potential reception of Wikie and Keijo cannot be treated as a mere administrative procedure, nor can it be subject to ambiguous interpretations, contradictory messages or external pressure. This concerns the lives of two animals that require an immediate and permanent solution, one that is technically viable and endorsed by the competent authorities of the countries involved.
The President of the Loro Parque Group, Wolfgang Kiessling, has made this clear: “Our aim is to save the lives of these animals and rescue them from a fatal fate; we invite the Spanish Government to join this effort by providing the technical and legal guarantees necessary for an operation of this magnitude.”
Loro Parque is confident that the Spanish Government will respond positively to this invitation, making this unprecedented animal rescue possible, recognising the value of facilities that are a global benchmark and ideally suited to permanently host these cetaceans, ensuring their protection and welfare.
In a commitment to transparency and scientific rigour, Loro Parque emphasises that France’s Minister for Ecological Transition has himself acknowledged in his statements that no marine sanctuaries exist, and that Loro Parque represents the only viable option to prevent a fatal outcome. The narrative surrounding sanctuaries must therefore give way to pragmatic and scientifically supported solutions such as those offered in Tenerife.
This wouldn’t be the first time Loro Parque has participated in a rescue operation. Morgan, the orca who was found in very poor health off the coast of the Wadden Sea (Netherlands), found a home at the Animal Embassy. The institution took in the animal at the express request of the Dutch authorities, after experts determined that transferring her to Loro Parque was the only viable option to ensure her well-being.
The institution notes that for years it has been subject to administrative and media scrutiny which, in its view, has not been based on solid scientific evidence. In this context, Loro Parque believes that any transfer must be carried out with full transparency, supported by verifiable technical reports and unequivocal backing from the competent authorities. Only in this way can it be ensured that Wikie and Keijo do not become embroiled in a controversy that exacerbates their current situation.
Loro Parque stresses that this operation is not driven by economic or commercial interests. “We do not earn a single euro more by having six orcas instead of four. We are doing this out of moral, technical, and professional responsibility. We do it because we know how to care for these animals and because we want to prevent Wikie and Keijo from dying in France without a real alternative,” stated Kiessling.
The company highlights that it has a multidisciplinary team of veterinarians, biologists, keepers, animal behaviour specialists, and international experts with extensive experience in the management of cetaceans. The facilities have been designed to provide a safe, stable, and enriching environment, with protocols for round-the-clock care, specialised veterinary supervision, and welfare programmes based on scientific criteria.
Furthermore, Loro Parque emphasises that its facilities have undergone rigorous inspections on numerous occasions by various competent authorities and bodies. These include SEPRONA, which has repeatedly confirmed the good welfare of the animals in the park’s care. In addition, international certifications and external audits attest to the institution’s commitment to conservation, education, research, and animal welfare.
With over 50 years of experience, Loro Parque has established itself as a global benchmark in species protection, biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness.
Loro Parque Fundación has saved 18 species from extinction thanks to its work on more than 300 conservation projects around the world, in which it has invested over 30 million dollars.
For all these reasons, Loro Parque reiterates its willingness to collaborate with the French and Spanish authorities, provided that there is a sufficient framework of guarantees and clear institutional recognition of the excellence of its facilities. The welfare of Wikie and Keijo must be the top priority, and this can only be ensured in the long term if the legal certainty and reputation of those responsible for their care are safeguarded.
