The dolphins of Parc Astérix in 2016. -

Lionel Urman / SIPA

After the decision to close its dolphinarium on the eve of the debate on animal abuse, Parc Astérix "had to relieve its suffering" from a sick 39-year-old female dolphin, being unable to transfer her like her seven congeners.

"We were forced to make the sad and very difficult choice to relieve Femke of her suffering," said Tuesday in a statement the park located near Paris in the Oise, which announced at the end of January the closure of its basin dating from 1989 and with eight dolphins.

The other dolphins have been transferred

Last week, the National Assembly voted almost unanimously on a bill to combat animal abuse.

The text provides in particular that the detention and reproduction of cetaceans in captivity be prohibited, as well as their participation in shows.

In France, three establishments have them: Parc Astérix, Planète Sauvage and Marineland.

In recent days, Parc Astérix - which belongs to the Compagnie des Alpes group - indicates that seven dolphins have been transferred to other European dolphinariums.

He underlines that this “choice of dolphinariums has been validated by scientific experts” and “that no site or reintroduction program offered the required guarantees” for these mammals born in the basin or living there for nearly 30 years.

"Quick and serene end of life" for Femke

Concerning the female baptized Femke, the park evokes "her severe breathing difficulties, her lack of interactions with caregivers and other dolphins, her state of advanced lethargy and her repeated food stops", and indicates that the veterinarians responsible for evaluating her ability to withstand a transfer “recommended offering him a quick and peaceful end of life, within his familiar environment”.

The animal was "suffering from Cushing's Syndrome for several years, its state of health had deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, a consequence of the evolution of this incurable neurodegenerative disease", it is specified.

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