Published on 04/01/2025 20:39
Reading time: 1min – video: 2min
Marineland: the water park is experiencing its last hours
Marineland: the water park is experiencing its last hours
(France 2)
Opened more than 50 years ago, the first marine zoo, Marineland in Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes) closes its doors on Sunday January 5. Uncertainty hangs over the 150 animals in the park.
End clap for Marineland. For the penultimate day of the park, there are many visitors. One family even came from Ain and traveled 500 km so as not to miss anything of the last spectacle. “It’s a wonderful moment to do as a family. I find it really a shame”declares the mother.
After 20 years at the water park, around a hundred employees now find themselves in limbo for the coming months. “Find a job like that, there isn’t one. Most will have to change fields”regrets an employee of the education, research and conservation department.
However, the story starts well. The park opened in 1970 and quickly expanded to accommodate more animals. But public opinion has changed over the past ten years. In 2021, with the law against animal abuse which puts an end to wild animal shows by 2026, the attendance rate has collapsed. It remains to be seen what will become of the 150 animals.
Watch the full report in the video above.
