AN ORCA has died after spending its entire life in captivity at a theme park in France, sparking furious backlash from critics.
Moana, 12, died just days ago as the park said it is investigating his cause of death.
Moana, 12, died just days ago after spending his entire life in captivity (a Marineland trainer pictured with one of their orcas)
Marineland d’Antibes, in southern France, said the young whales’ cause of death is currently unknown.
They said in an online statement: “This loss is extremely painful for all the zoo teams, for the keepers who have built such a bond with Moana and for all those who love Marineland.
“Moana marked our history and will be greatly missed; he will forever remain in the heart of our teams.”
Animal rights groups have slammed the park for housing the orcas in “poor conditions”.
PETA UK released a damning statement after Moana’s death which said: “He was born in captivity and spent his life confined to a concrete tank, swimming in endless circles.
“Moana was made to perform for over a decade before his health declined and he died.”
They also claimed that French animal rights group One Voice had asked Marineland to give both Moana and his brother health checks just weeks before his death.
The 12-year-old orca was born in captivity and spent his entire life in the French Riviera park, with his mother, and two half-brothers.
His father was captured in 1980 and sent to a zoo in Spain before being moved to SeaWorld in San Diego.
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