Farewell Bahia, Aya, Beauty… The dolphins will no longer be jumping at the “Poseidon Theater” at Parc Asterix in Plailly (Oise).
Exclusively, Nicolas Kremer, its managing director, announces to us that he has taken the decision to permanently close the dolphinarium, one of the flagship attractions of the leisure area since its creation in April 1989. Cetaceans, like sea lions, will have disappeared for the reopening, currently scheduled for April 3.
The news sounds like a great victory for all animal advocates.
For years, associations and NGOs have been calling for an end to captivity and breeding for wild animals, in amusement parks and circuses.
In particular “That's enough!
Which, as it does for the other two French dolphinariums, "Planète sauvage" in Port-Saint-Père (Loire-Atlantique) and "Marineland" in Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes), demonstrated once a month in front of the gates of 'Asterix, to denounce the living conditions of cetaceans and raise public awareness.
Actions that have found an echo with politicians.
In 2017, Ségolène Royal, then Minister of Ecology, issued a decree to prohibit the reproduction of dolphins in captivity, signing in the medium term the end of dolphinariums.
If the decision had been overturned by the Council of State, it was not buried: Barbara Pompili, the Minister of Ecological Transition, made it one of the pillars of the law against animal abuse which will be debated in from Tuesday to the National Assembly.
It is in this context that the Parc d'Astérix is closing its dolphinarium.
Explanations.
Why did you make this decision today?
NICOLAS KREMER.
In fact, we've been thinking about it for several years.
I would even say that the decision has been taken three years ago.
But it takes time to find the right solution for the welfare of the animals, especially the dolphins.
We discussed with specialists, scientists, associations… Today, the placement solution for our 8 dolphins and our 5 sea lions is finalized.
What will become of them?
They will join other dolphinariums in Europe.
This is the solution, developed with the European Association of Aquatic Mammals, which appeared to be the best to ensure them good living conditions.
Reintroduction into the natural environment is impossible for these animals bred in captivity.
Marine sanctuaries are only at the planning stage.
We chose Europe because we know that other countries in the world do not offer the same guarantees.
When will the transfer take place?
In the next two months.
But to ensure the peace of the operations, we do not wish to say more about the date, nor their destination.
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It seems that this type of attraction is threatened everywhere in Europe ...
It is true.
But the prospects for closures are 10 or 15 years away.
This leaves a future for our animals.
Is it the strong pressure from associations and politicians that decided you?
I told you, we've been thinking about it for a long time.
Parc Astérix is above all an amusement park, not an animal park.
We want to refocus on what is our core business.
Regarding political decisions, saying
we must stop the dolphinariums
without providing any alternative solution, it's easy and it can only remain a pious wish ...
50% of visitors to Parc Asterix went to the amphitheater to watch the dolphin show./LP/Olivier Boitet
Do you have the impression, as you are accused of having mistreated these animals?
Absolutely not.
It's a real trauma for the whole team, caretakers, scientists, and all park employees to hear that.
In fact, associations consider captivity to be mistreatment… But I can tell you that we have always taken care of the well-being of our animals.
If we take the example of Femke, a dolphin whose disease has moved a lot, there were four vets to take care of her.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be alive.
Visitors to the park continued to praise the show?
Yes.
50% of our visitors came to see it.
They would undoubtedly have been more numerous if the gauge were not limited to 2000 places and the number of performances limited.
With this decision, do you want to lead by example?
Not at all.
This is not an incentive to close other dolphinariums.
We work in perfect harmony with Planète Sauvage and Marineland.
Having animals is in their DNA.
With us, it was becoming almost incongruous.
But I know that the animals are treated well there, even if it is not like in nature.
Dolphinariums have a real role in conservation, scientific knowledge of species and public awareness of their conservation.
What will become of the dolphinarium staff?
There are about ten people.
Some will be reclassified internally.
Others have personal projects and we support them in their training.
And the dolphinarium?
It is a very beautiful open-air amphitheater with 2,000 seats.
We will keep it and offer a new aquatic show.
We have launched a competition for that purpose.
Are you not finally a little relieved at the end of the dolphinarium?
Now is the time for emotion to see these animals to which we are attached leave.
I will regret the show because it was beautiful.
But maybe I'll be relieved in a few months ...