Author Archives: Helene O'Barry

Image taken July 25, 2026, showing one of the dolphins transferred from Marineland Antibes to Selwo Marina in Spain. Just two days after the transfer, the dolphin was seen tossing a piece of concrete into the air. If the concrete becomes lodged in the dolphin's throat, the consequences could be life-threatening. Credit: Alexandra Johnston

07Aug

Blog, Campaigns, Captivity Industry | Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Concrete in a Dolphin’s Mouth After Transfer

Posts by : Helene O'Barry

When the tourist attraction Marineland Antibes in France closed its gates in January 2025, many hoped the closure marked the beginning of

When dolphins are used for rides and close-up encounters, they are no longer treated as sentient, wild beings, but as attractions to be touched, handled, and ridden for human amusement. Few practices better illustrate how exploitation has been normalized within the captive dolphin industry.

02Aug

Blog, Campaigns, Captivity Industry, swim with dolphins | Posts by : Helene O'Barry

The Problem with Captive Dolphin Swim Programs

Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Having a close-up encounter with dolphins remains one of the world’s most popular wildlife attractions. The appeal is simple: the encounter is

For years, Kolmården Zoo operated as a breeding facility, supplying young “show-quality” dolphins to other dolphinariums across Europe. Despite announcing the closure of its dolphinarium in 2022, it has not been able to find new "homes" for the dolphins. Luna's story highlights the consequences of using dolphins for entertainment: a life shaped by confinement, prolonged illness, and interventions that have raised serious animal welfare concerns.

20Jul

Blog, Campaigns, Captivity Industry | Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Kolmården Zoo: A Dolphin’s 213 Days of Misery

Posts by : Helene O'Barry

A chronically ill dolphin at Kolmården Zoo in Sweden may have been subjected to unnecessary suffering. The Swedish news outlet TV4 News

Captive dolphins perform at Oltremare Theme Park in Italy

23Jun

Blog, Campaigns, Captivity Industry | Posts by : Helene O'Barry

A UK Animal Welfare Law Stuck in Limbo

Posts by : Helene O'Barry

In 2023, the UK passed a law designed to tackle one of the biggest drivers of animal exploitation abroad: the advertising and

Wikie was born at Marineland in France in 2001 to the wild-caught Icelandic orcas Sharkane and Kim II. In 2011, she gave birth to her first calf, a male named Moana, who died in 2023. In 2013, Wikie gave birth to Keijo, the last surviving orca remaining with her at Marineland today. Credit: Credit: @xrealeyes (IG); Inherently Wild: https://inherentlywild.co.uk

05Jun

Blog, Campaigns, Captivity Industry | Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Wikie and Keijo: From One Tank to Another?

Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Wikie and her son Keijo, the last two surviving orcas at Marineland of Antibes in France, have been the center of ongoing

This is what "complexity" and "choice" looks like at Mediterraneo Marine Park. An official welfare inspection carried out last year claimed the dolphins' living space provides opportunities for retreat and social choice, despite the dolphins being trapped in barren concrete tanks with no shade and nowhere to escape the relentless Maltese sun. Credit: Waves Not Walls

22May

Blog, Campaigns, Captivity Industry | Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Still No Shade at Mediterraneo Marine Park

Posts by : Helene O'Barry

In September 2025, Mediterraneo Marine Park in Malta underwent an official inspection that was presented as a scientific assessment of animal welfare.

Keijo with his mother Wikie. Born at Marineland d'Antibes in France, both are of Icelandic origin and could soon be transferred to Loro Parque in Tenerife, Spain. Credit: @petite_photographe_animaliere (IG); Inherentlywild.co.uk

15May

Blog, Campaigns, Captivity Industry | Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Wikie and Keijo May be Sent to Loro Parque

Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Wikie and her son Keijo, the last remaining orcas at Marineland in Antibes, France, may soon be transferred to Spain, according to

Stolen freedom is not entertainment, Taiji Whale Museum, Japan

01May

Blog, Campaigns, Captivity Industry | Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Empty the Tanks: What It Means and Why It Matters

Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Some people within the animal welfare community say they no longer support the Empty The Tanks campaign. “I can’t continue to advocate

TUI sells experiences where dolphins are used as ride-on objects, turning them into attractions within a commercial holiday offer and stripping them of any recognition as complex, intelligent beings. Credit: Helene O'Barry

23Apr

Blog, Campaigns, Captivity Industry | Posts by : Helene O'Barry

Tui’s “Choice” Argument Leaves Dolphins with None

Posts by : Helene O'Barry

TUI sells holidays filled with smiling faces, turquoise waters, and the promise of unforgettable experiences. But behind the glossy marketing lies something