Orcas and dolphins trapped in closed marine park
Listen to the story (American accent)
Two orcas are in a marine park in France. The park is called Marineland Antibes. It closed on January 5. It closed because France wants to stop dolphin and whale shows.
The two orcas are Wikie, who is 23 years old, and her son, Keijo, who is 11. Their pool has a lot of algae. It is not clean.
Twelve dolphins are also in the park.
Many people are worried. They think the orcas are not safe or healthy. They show videos of the orcas to the French government to get help.
It is hard to move the orcas. France said the whales can’t go to a park in Japan. Spain said “no”. The park in Spain is too small.
Some people want to send Wikie and Keijo to a safe place in Canada. They think this is the only way. The place in Canada is bigger than the pool.
Marineland park managers said the orcas must leave soon. It is important to find a good home for them.
The orcas cannot go into the sea. They were born in the park. They might not be safe in the wild.
Vocabulary17 words
- Orca
- a large black and white sea mammal, also known as a killer whale
- Marine park
- A special park where ocean animals like dolphins and whales live and people visit
- Called
- Named; To give something a name
- Dolphin
- A smart, friendly ocean animal that swims and jumps; ?
- Whale
- A very big animal that lives in the ocean, like a giant fish, but breathes air; ?
- Show
- A performance/event where animals, people and/or machines do something exciting or interesting that people want to watch
- Pool
- an area of still water; swimming pool; similar to a big bathtub ?
- Algae
- A type of plant that grows in water and can make its own food from sunlight;
- Worry
- to be/feel concerned or nervous; to be troubled; to think a lot about a negative situation; a little scared
- Healthy
- When your body is working well and strong; in good health; no sickness or injury
- Show
- To display or present something; to share; to let people see something
- Government
- the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Manager
- the person in charge; boss; supervisor;
- Leave
- to go away from a place without taking; leave behind; abandon; to allow something to remain
- Sea
- the big body of saltwater that covers most of the Earth
- Born
- To come out of a mother's body as a baby
- Wild
- Living in a natural state, not kept or controlled by humans; Not in a zoo or someone's home; where animals live freely
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Two orcas _____ in a marine park in France. The _____ is called Marineland Antibes. It closed on January _____ . It closed because France wants to stop dolphin and whale _____ .
The two orcas are Wikie, _____ is 23 years old, and her son, Keijo, who is 11. Their _____ has a lot of algae. It is not _____ .
Twelve dolphins are also _____ the park.
Many people are _____ . They think the orcas are not safe or healthy. _____ show videos of the orcas to the French government to _____ help.
It is hard to move the orcas. _____ said the whales can’t go to a park in _____ . Spain said “no”. The park in Spain is too _____ .
Some people want to _____ Wikie and Keijo to a safe place in Canada. They think this is the _____ way. The place in Canada is _____ than the pool.
Marineland park _____ said the orcas must leave soon. It is _____ to find a good home for them.
The orcas cannot go into _____ sea. They were born in the park. They might _____ be safe in the wild.
Discussion questions
- Do you think marine parks should keep orcas and dolphins for shows? Why or why not?
- Do you think the orcas and dolphins in Marineland Antibes are happy? Why do you think that?
- Why do you think it is difficult to find a new home for these orcas?
- Do you think it is better for animals like orcas to live in a sanctuary or in the wild, if they were born in a park?
- What can people do to help animals that live in parks or zoos?
Common questions
Why are there orcas in the closed Marineland Antibes park?
Marineland Antibes in France closed on January 5 after France banned dolphin and whale shows in 2021. Two orcas — 23-year-old Wikie and her 11-year-old son Keijo — and twelve dolphins remained in their pools after the park shut.
What condition are the abandoned orcas in?
Animal rights groups such as TideBreakers have published videos showing the orcas in a pool with growing algae, and are asking the French government to move the animals because of concerns about their health and safety.
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