Marineland Côte d’Azur to Close Down

(eap) The marine animal park Marineland Côte d’Azur, operated by Parques Reunidos, sees itself forced to close permanently on 5 January 2025. The park, where visitors have been able to admire orcas, dolphins and Californian sea lions, among others, is affected by the French animal welfare law passed on 30 November 2021, which bans the display of whales and dolphins and comes into force in 2026. Along with the economic difficulties related to the Covid-19 crisis, Marineland has seen a continuous decline in visitor numbers – in ten years, the number of visitors has fallen from 1.2 million to 425,000 visitors per year.

Marineland now has two primary goals: To relocate all its animals, prioritising their welfare, and to find solutions for the employees affected. The neighbouring Parques Reunidos parks Aquasplash and Adventure Golf will not be affected by the planned closure. ■