France has banned the breeding of killer whales and dolphins in captivity.

Campaigners hope the move will eventually bring an end to shows involving the marine animals.

The government has also banned the captivity of all whales, dolphins and porpoises, except for orcas and bottlenose dolphins.

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The new rules also ban direct contact between the animals and the public and require pools holding the animals to be made significantly larger.

Aquariums and water parks have six months to comply to the rules, and must expand their pools within three years.

It comes after SeaWorld announced the last birth of a killer whale at its theme park after it decided to stop breeding orcas following animal rights protests.

It has also said it is phasing out its orca shows after years of criticism, but activists remain unconvinced as its theme parks in San Antonio, Texas and Orlando are not expected to end the shows until 2019.

Shape Created with Sketch. SeaWorld's killer whales Show all 10 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. SeaWorld's killer whales 1/10 Visitors are greeted by an Orca killer whale as they attend a show featuring the whales during a visit to the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 2/10 A trainer shows the crowd a killer whale during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 3/10 An Orca killer whale is seen underwater at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 4/10 Visitors get a close-up view of an Orca killer whale during a visit to the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 5/10 Trainers have Orca killer whales perform for the crowd during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 6/10 Trainers have Orca killer whales perform for the crowd during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 7/10 Trainers have Orca killer whales perform for the crowd during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 8/10 Trainers have Orca killer whales perform for the crowd during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 9/10 Tillikum, a killer whale at SeaWorld amusement park, performs during the show "Believe" in Orlando, September 3, 2009. A killer whale at the SeaWorld amusement park in central Florida killed a trainer on February 24, 2010, police and company executives said. According to the Orlando Sentinel the orca involved in the incident, named Tillikum but popularly known as "Tilly," has a controversial past. Mathieu Belanger/Reuters 10/10 An unidentified trainer works with a killer whale during the "Believe" show at Sea World in Orlando, Florida, in this photograph taken on February 14, 2010. A killer whale at the SeaWorld amusement park in central Florida killed a trainer on February 24, 2010, police and company executives said. Picture taken February 14. Richard Baum/Reuters 1/10 Visitors are greeted by an Orca killer whale as they attend a show featuring the whales during a visit to the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 2/10 A trainer shows the crowd a killer whale during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 3/10 An Orca killer whale is seen underwater at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 4/10 Visitors get a close-up view of an Orca killer whale during a visit to the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 5/10 Trainers have Orca killer whales perform for the crowd during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 6/10 Trainers have Orca killer whales perform for the crowd during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 7/10 Trainers have Orca killer whales perform for the crowd during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 8/10 Trainers have Orca killer whales perform for the crowd during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows. Mike Blake/Reuters 9/10 Tillikum, a killer whale at SeaWorld amusement park, performs during the show "Believe" in Orlando, September 3, 2009. A killer whale at the SeaWorld amusement park in central Florida killed a trainer on February 24, 2010, police and company executives said. According to the Orlando Sentinel the orca involved in the incident, named Tillikum but popularly known as "Tilly," has a controversial past. Mathieu Belanger/Reuters 10/10 An unidentified trainer works with a killer whale during the "Believe" show at Sea World in Orlando, Florida, in this photograph taken on February 14, 2010. A killer whale at the SeaWorld amusement park in central Florida killed a trainer on February 24, 2010, police and company executives said. Picture taken February 14. Richard Baum/Reuters

French environment minister Segolene Royal signed a version of the bill on Wednesday, but decided the rules needed to be “more radical” after learning “some animals were drugged” in aquariums, her ministry told AFP.

In a joint statement, five conservation groups hailed the ban as a “historic French advance” which could mean the end of “breeding, exchange and import programmes”.

Jon Kershaw, the head of the Marineland Antibes park in the French Riviera, told local media the ban was a “bombshell” for businesses like his.</s>France on Saturday banned the breeding in captivity of dolphins and killer whales under tighter rules that campaigners hope will eventually herald the end of shows involving the animals.

Environment Minister Segolene Royal had on Wednesday signed a version of the legislation introducing "tight controls on the reproduction of dolphins", her ministry said in a statement.

But she has since decided the rules need to be "more radical", her ministry told AFP on Saturday, particularly after learning that "some animals were drugged" in aquariums.

The new rules ban the captivity of all whales, dolphins and porpoises, except for orcas and bottlenose dolphins already held in authorised aquariums.</s>PARIS, France – France on Saturday, May 6, banned the breeding in captivity of dolphins and killer whales under tighter rules that campaigners hope will eventually herald the end of shows involving the animals.

Environment Minister Segolene Royal had on Wednesday, May 3, signed a version of the legislation introducing "tight controls on the reproduction of dolphins," her ministry said in a statement.

But she has since decided the rules need to be "more radical," her ministry told AFP on Saturday, particularly after learning that "some animals were drugged" in aquariums.

The new rules ban the captivity of all whales, dolphins, and porpoises, except for orcas and bottlenose dolphins already held in authorized aquariums.

"In plain terms, this means the end of breeding, exchange, and import programs," 5 conservation groups including One Voice and Sea Shepherd said in a joint statement.

"Without possible replenishment, this quite simply means the scheduled end of marine circuses on our territory."

But the move sparked anger from Jon Kershaw, head of the Marineland Antibes dolphin show park in southern France, who told the Var-Matin newspaper it was a "bombshell" for establishments like his.

The new rules notably also require "an increase of at least 150% of pools to allow the animals to live in less proximity from visitors and other animals," the ministry said, as well as banning chlorine in treating the water.

Direct contact between the animals and the public is also now forbidden.

Water parks and aquariums have 6 months to conform to the new rules, and a 3-year deadline for expanding their pools.

Parks such as Marineland Antibes – the biggest attraction of its kind in Europe – have faced growing criticism in recent years over their animals' living conditions. – Rappler.com</s>Environment Minister Segolene Royal had on Wednesday signed a version of the legislation introducing "tight controls on the reproduction of dolphins", her ministry said in a statement.

But she has since decided the rules need to be "more radical", her ministry told AFP on Saturday, particularly after learning that "some animals were drugged" in aquariums.

The new rules ban the captivity of all whales, dolphins and porpoises, except for orcas and bottlenose dolphins already held in authorised aquariums.

"In plain terms, this means the end of breeding, exchange and import programmes," five conservation groups including One Voice and Sea Shepherd said in a joint statement.

"Without possible replenishment, this quite simply means the scheduled end of marine circuses on our territory."

But the move sparked anger from Jon Kershaw, head of the Marineland Antibes dolphin show park in southern France, who told the Var-Matin newspaper it was a "bombshell" for establishments like his.

The new rules notably also require "an increase of at least 150 percent of pools to allow the animals to live in less proximity from visitors and other animals", the ministry said, as well as banning chlorine in treating the water.

Direct contact between the animals and the public is also now forbidden.

Water parks and aquariums have six months to conform to the new rules, and a three-year deadline for expanding their pools.

Parks such as Marineland Antibes—the biggest attraction of its kind in Europe—have faced growing criticism in recent years over their animals' living conditions.

Explore further: It's an orca! Last killer whale is born at a SeaWorld park</s>PARIS:- France on Saturday banned the breeding in captivity of dolphins and killer whales under tighter rules that campaigners hope will eventually herald the end of shows involving the animals. Environment Minister Segolene Royal had on Wednesday signed a version of the legislation introducing “tight controls on the reproduction of dolphins”, her ministry said in a statement. But she has since decided the rules need to be “more radical”, her ministry told AFP on Saturday, particularly after learning that “some animals were drugged” in aquariums.–AFP</s>Killer Whales have been on a killing spree off the California coast as dozens of orcas have been spotted targeting gray whale calves.The gray whales have been migrating from Mexico to Alaska. The area near Monterey Bay in Northern California is ideal for a killer whale ambush, according to wildlife biologist Bernardo Alps."There's a very deep canyon that crosses the bay and comes really close to shore so the migrating gray whales have to cross deep water, which killer whales prefer for an attack," Alps explained.</s>Our legs of yellow skin next to one another,calves spread, I think of beached whales, the arcs of their bellies, clean and gleaming. A whale would lie in the shapeof something cold, the body sipping on itselflike a drain. Gravity sucks a whole whale onto sand.You study Korean, whispering, Murorŭda, murorŭda,meaning, literally, Water rises, but really meaning to improve orto rise in sap, in springtime trees. Come spring, it will be your birthday.We will have seaweed soup, supply our blood with oxygen. Do you know that Koreans do that, because, hundreds of years past,they saw whales eating seaweed after giving birth? You cross your legs, their hair black and coarse like my father’s and my grandfather’s across the ocean. And do you know that whales have hair?Perhaps a sign of their past, when they walked the earth? Summer of years past: your father across the same ocean to bring youto America, where you would grow up speaking a language different from mine. Do you know that whales, too, detect where one another comes from through song? That music I hear is yours and ours. Murorŭda. Murorŭda. Water rises. Whales die in this year’s hot winter. Your father has told you of the summer, the dank heat. Your foster mother ran after you, you already asleep in your father’s arms, wailing your name. You will not be called by that name the next dayand years will pass by. But when you’re ten you will write about that storyand spell “wail” as the animal, whose breath is a distance, spouting steam,the great animal that becomes crushed by air and sprayed with wordsMan’s Fault. And yes, so perhaps the world will end in water, taking with itall loving things. And yes, in grace. Only song, only buoyancy. You rise now whispering, Murollida, murollida. Meaning, literally, to raise water,but really meaning to bring water to a boil.</s>Four years photographing killer whales in the waters off Bremer Bay in Western Australia has culminated in the state's first publicly available orca catalogue.

Eighty-one killer whales with nicknames such as Cookie, El Notcho and Lucky were catalogued by researchers from Curtin University's Centre for Marine Science and Technology (CMST).

The Project ORCA database, published online on April 28, hopes to fill knowledge gaps about the health, size, and migration of Australia's killer whale population.

CMST PhD candidate Rebecca Wellard studied the orcas during expeditions to the Bremer Sub-basin between January and April each year since 2014.

The sub-basin is a vast area covering 11,500 square-kilometres, including the Bremer Canyon orca hotspot.

Killer whales' transient nature makes it tough to study the marine mammals.

"We're still very much learning about the killer whales here in Australia," Ms Wellard said.

"Much of our information on killer whale distribution through Australia is from incidental sightings.

Ms Wellard said encounters with orcas were very rare but the waters off Bremer Bay supported an abundance for a few months of the year.

"The Bremer Sub-basin is a very, very special area," she said.

"It provides an opportunity to study this little-known population we have here in Australia."

As well as the number of whales, the new catalogue will help scientists monitor their migrations around Australia.

It can also be used to document orcas birthing, calving and death rates.

How do you identify killer whales?

The 81 individual killer whales were characterised mainly by their dorsal fin.

"We look at little nicks and notches and the shape of the dorsal fin."

Cookie gets her name from a biscuit-shaped section missing from her dorsal fin, while El Notcho has a large notch missing from his.

Unique white markings on each whale's back — called a saddle patch — and near their eye — called an eye patch — were also used to tell them apart from each other.

Some of the catalogued orcas' names come from the Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Noongar people of south-west WA.

Kwilana is the Noongar word for dolphin.

Miro, which translates to 'spear thrower', was chosen for a female orca documented attacking a beaked whale in the Bremer Sub-basin in 2016.

Ms Wellard said another 20 killer whales will be added to the catalogue soon.

She hopes citizen scientists submit their photographs of killer whales spotted along other sections of WA's coastline to Project ORCA for comparison.

"I've had photos donated to us from animals seen all up the west coast," she said.

"From Rottnest, from Lancelin, there's also another population of killer whales we know of on the Ningaloo Reef.

"We have tried to match them with the Bremer animals and we still haven't had any matches yet."

Although the total Australian killer whale population remains unknown, Ms Wellard said more than 100 orcas was a significant amount.

"The New Zealand catalogue has over 200 individuals and that's the whole way around New Zealand."

The first catalogue of Eastern Australian orcas was released by Killer Whales Australia in 2016.

To contribute to the catalogue visit the Project ORCA website.</s>The story of one woman's spiritual and political transformation and her commitment to justice. Donate to order this gift now!</s>Haras de Malleret in Le Pian-Médoc, France, combines a passion for horses with family history. Its goal uss to create a high-quality breeding facility dedicated exclusively to dressage while upholding the highest international standards. This prestigious breeding centre achieves these results through our ongoing commitment to quality and excellence.

Gérald Martinez wanted to create a unique stud because of his passion for horses that he has since he was a child. He started to realize this dream at the end of 2012. His breeding philosophy is based on ‘respect’ towards this magnificent animal, ‘excellence’, and the will to bring us a little closer to perfection. Then comes ‘Heritage’– Martinez is extremely proud that Malleret has been in the family since 1850 and has always had an equine tradition. All comes back to ‘passion’, without it none of this would be possible.

Today, Haras de Malleret has two beautiful promising stallions. Martinez looked to the best of the German breeding world and collaborated with Paul Schockemöhle to select stallions that are a ‘rarity’ for his stud.

It was in 2014 in Verden where Martinez fell head over heels with Danciano, 4-years old at the time. He contacted Paul Schockemöhle that was one of the owners and managed to convince Paul to sell it to him. Martinez is very happy with that choice, the first foals from Danciano are very promising. They inherit an extraordinary charisma, incomparable elegance and nobility, with a lot of strength from their father that has shown regularity and quality in its production.

The stud also acquired stallion Flinstone at the PSI auction in 2013 at the age of three and has not regretted it since. The stallion is kind, stunning with superb movements and a beautiful color. He participated in the Warendorf final and managed to come in 11th without any prior experience. At the moment, Martinez is focused on competition with Flinstone but it is a gorgeous stallion in the making. At Malleret stud, the selected mares are chosen for their movement mechanism, morphology and good temperament which they pass on to their foals.

The education of the foals is primordial, they are followed with care from birth till their third year and are manipulated with caution to get an excellent level of complicity with humans. The most important thing is their physical and mental integrity.

Today the Haras de Malleret is one of the main studs for dressage horses in the South of France and the products coming from it will certainly get themselves talked about.

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France bans the breeding of killer whales and dolphins in captivity and orders aquariums and water parks to expand their pools within three years following a campaign by animal rights groups.