Marineland: the death of a dolphin transferred to Spain sparks anger from animal rights groups

Three months after the transfer of eight dolphins from Marineland in Antibes to Spain, Rocky died during the night of Saturday October 10 to Sunday October 11, 2026. Several organizations have denounced a decision maintained despite their alerts about the risks associated with transportation. An autopsy must determine the causes of death, while the future of the other cetaceans in the park remains under discussion.

The death of Rocky reignites criticism surrounding the transfer of dolphins from Marineland in Antibes to Spain. Closed since January 2025, the park in the Alpes-Maritimes region had seen eight of its dolphins join the Selwo Marina dolphinarium, near Malaga, in July 2026. 29 years old, Rocky was part of the group.

When contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Marineland confirmed the death of the cetacean. For its part, Selwo Marina announced that an autopsy was underway to determine the causes of death. The precise circumstances of the death therefore remain to be established.

The announcement triggered strong reactions among cetacean protection associations. In a post on social media, Tilikum’s Spirit (One Voice association, Editor’s note) notably denounced a “transfer too far,” while Sea Shepherd France recalled the risks flagged before the animals’ departure.

Associations denounce transfers maintained despite their alerts

For cetacean protection associations, Rocky’s death occurs in a context already marked by concerns about the health of transferred animals. Eight days after their arrival in Malaga, Sea Shepherd notably alerted the difficulties in adapting dolphins and their feeding.

The association claims to have warned about the possible consequences of extreme heat, stress from transportation, and the disruption of social bonds between animals. On July 9, Sea Shepherd stated that “a summer transfer can be fatal.”

In its message published after the death, the association also recalls having taken legal action to try to prevent the transfer. “We mobilized ourselves and took legal action to prevent this transfer. It was maintained despite our alerts,” laments Sea Shepherd France, which believes that “the government and those responsible for its transfer must now be held accountable.”

Tilikum’s Spirit also expresses its anger. The association believes that Rocky died as a result of a decision made for the benefit of the captivity industry. It recalls having requested that all animals be kept at Marineland and claims to have alerted about the risks incurred.

Associations are now calling for precise information on the circumstances of death and veterinary conclusions. The autopsy should provide answers, as the causes of death have not yet been established. It should be noted that the average life expectancy of a bottlenose dolphin like Rocky is 28 years according to experts.

Four dolphins and two orcas still concerned by transfers

The future of the other cetaceans at Marineland also remains under discussion. Four dolphins still present in the Antibes park are to be transferred to a facility located in Valencia, in eastern Spain. The two orcas, Wikie and Keijo, could for their part join Loro Parque in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. Discussions continue concerning this operation, whose terms remain to be clarified.

These prospects prolong questions about the future of animals following the closure of Marineland. Several associations had opposed transfers to Spain, denouncing the risks to cetaceans and contesting the choices made for their care.

Animal defenders also invoke the 2021 French law, which notably provides for the end of cetacean shows and the prohibition of their detention in the facilities concerned, according to the provisions and deadlines provided for in the text. Transfers abroad thus raise questions about the living conditions of animals and the solutions considered following the closure of the Antibes park.

Rocky was born in captivity in Spain in 1997

Born on March 13, 1997 at Madrid Zoo, Rocky joined Marineland in Antibes in 2011. The male dolphin had thus spent about fifteen years in the Côte d’Azur park before his transfer to Selwo Marina in July 2026.

His death adds to that of five other cetaceans transferred from a closed Canadian park to facilities in the United States and Spain, according to associations. Sea Shepherd France highlights this succession of deaths to call for greater transparency in animal transfers.

In a statement, Selwo Marina expressed its sadness following the dolphin’s death, mentioning the teams responsible for caring for Rocky within the Spanish park as well as those from Marineland, who had cared for him for many years.

Pending the results of the autopsy, the causes of death remain unknown. Associations are demanding explanations about the decisions that led to Rocky’s transfer and how the identified risks were taken into account. The fate of the four dolphins and two orcas still concerned by transfer projects should also continue to fuel debate about the future of Marineland’s cetaceans.