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Marineland of Antibes

Coordinates: 43°36′54″N 7°07′30″E / 43.6150°N 7.1250°E / 43.6150; 7.1250
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Marineland of Antibes
Global view of the killer whales tanks
Map
TypeAmusement park, dolphinarium, public aquarium, marine zoo
LocationAntibes, France
Area26 ha
Created1970
ClosedJanuary 5, 2025 (2025-01-05)
Operated byParques Reunidos

The Marineland of Antibes is a theme park founded in 1970 by Count Roland de La Poype in Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes), in the French Riviera. Covering 26 hectares, it includes a marine zoological park with dolphinarium,[1] a water park (Aquasplash), a children's play park (Kid's Island),[2] mini golf (Adventure Golf)[3] and a hotel (Marineland Resort).[4] It is the property of the Spanish multinational company Parques Reunidos, whose main shareholder are the investment funds EQT Partners and Elliott Management. Since 2017, the director is Pascal Picot.[5]

It is one of the four French dolphinariums and one of the two European dolphinariums presenting orcas. With over 850,000 visitors in 2018,[6] it's the most visited site in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

Since 2010, it has been accused of cetacean mistreatment, with the claim that dolphinariums can't assure proper & healthy captivity conditions for that species.

On December 4th, 2024, Marineland of Antibes announced it would close permanently in January 5th, 2025 due to declining attendance and increased regulation of animal captivity in France. [7]

History

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On July 25, 2006, the park was sold to the Spanish amusement park group Parques Reunidos for about €75 million.[8]

In October 2015, a fatal case of severe flooding and inclement weather conditions hit Antibes,[9] killing Valentin, a 19-year old male orca born within captivity inside the park.[10] The park was deluged with mud, also killing sharks, sea lions and turtles, because it was left without electricity to pump in clean water.[11]

Notable exhibits and shows

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The Shark Tunnel
California sea lion housed in the park

Orca Show

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The largest Orca pool complex in the Europe, with a capacity of 11,000,000 US gallons (42,000 m3) of water and a panoramic glass wall 64 metres (210 ft) long. Marineland holds two orcas: Wikie and Keijo. The two orcas were supposed to be transported to Japan in 2024 but French NGO One Voice obtained that the court prohibit Marineland from relocating the orcas before the end of the independent assessment.[12]

Dolphin show

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As of April 2020, Marineland housed a total of 12 bottlenose dolphins. The names of the dolphins are: Malou (F), Sharky (F), Rocky (M), Dam (M), Neo (M), Nala (F), Tux (M), Ania (F), Jo (F), Kai (M), Luà (F), and Ollie (F).

Les Coulisses de l'apprentissage (sea lion show)

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A live demonstration of the training techniques used with all the mammals in the park, in which the seal and sea lion trainers disclose some of the "ropes" for preparing the show, to better understand the basis of the relationship between humans and animals.

The shark tunnel

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In a 30-metre (98 ft) tunnel through an aquarium containing nearly 2,000,000 litres (530,000 US gal) of water, visitors are surrounded by sharks and manta rays.

Polar bears

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On June 11, 2021, polar bears Flocke, Indiana, Tala, and Yuma are no longer housed within Mainland, France, having been moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park.[13]

Activities

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Encounters

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Dolphin

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For €70, guests can spend 20 minutes wading in the dolphin tank while learning more about the animals as taught by trainers.[1]

Orca

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For €69, guests can spend 25 minutes interacting with orcas at "Orca Fjord" through a large panoramic window, with the aid and education of trainers.[14]

Sea Lion

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For €39, guests can spend 20 minutes with sea lions in a private area and two trainers.[15]

Sharks

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For €60, guests can don a diving suit and helmet to swim with sharks in the Shark Tunnel.[16]

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References

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  1. ^ "Discover our other water park: Marineland Lagoon". Marineland. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Kid's Island Park". Marineland. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  3. ^ "A giant mini-golf course in Antibes near Marineland | Adventure Golf Park". Marineland. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  4. ^ "Check Our Hotel". Marineland. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  5. ^ "Antibes : Marineland rouvre ses portes ce lundi". CNEWS (in French). March 21, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "Côte d'Azur: main tourist attractions 2018". Statista. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  7. ^ Bazizin, L., Richier, A., Chapelard, R., Alphonse, C. (2024), Antibes : Marineland annonce une fermeture définitive le 5 janvier 2025, retrieved December 4, 2024
  8. ^ Tourmag.com
  9. ^ Elgot, Jessica (October 4, 2015). "French floods: 19 feared dead after storms sweep French Riviera". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  10. ^ "Killer Whale Dies at Marineland Antibes in Aftermath of Park Flooding". InPark Magazine. October 12, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "Activists launch legal action against French marine park over orcas". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. March 27, 2016. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  12. ^ "Activists launch legal action against French marine park over orcas". One Voice. Agence France-Presse. March 27, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  13. ^ "Captive polar bears: Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster, England, UK". Bear Conservation. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  14. ^ "Killer Whales". Marineland. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  15. ^ "Sea Lion Encounter". Marineland. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  16. ^ "Shark Encounter". Marineland. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
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43°36′54″N 7°07′30″E / 43.6150°N 7.1250°E / 43.6150; 7.1250

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