French officials in Paris met with a U.S.-based organization on Monday regarding the potential relocation of France’s final two captive whales to a proposed coastal sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The French government has yet to decide whether to move the orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, to Spain’s Loro Parque zoo on the Canary Islands, a plan previously rejected by the Spanish government.
Following the meeting, France’s minister for ecological transition, Mathieu Lefevre, stated that a final decision would be reached by the end of March. Emphasizing the importance of acting responsibly, Lefevre stressed that any decision made will prioritize animal welfare, legal compliance, and the concerns of local communities.
The meeting allowed the French government to review a proposal from the Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP), which aims to establish a 40-hectare seaside enclosure on Nova Scotia’s eastern coast. This sanctuary, equivalent in size to 50 football fields, would feature floating nets extending from the shore. Experts argue that captive whales lack the survival skills needed to be reintroduced into the wild.
The WSP initially unveiled the sanctuary project in 2020 and received provincial approval in October of the previous year. However, construction has not yet commenced, and the group still requires a transfer license from Canada’s federal Fisheries Department to bring any whales into the country. Additionally, approximately $15 million in funding from private donors is necessary to refurbish an old wharf and construct the enclosure near Wine Harbour, N.S.
The timeline is crucial as the whales, accustomed to a Mediterranean climate, will need time to acclimate before the onset of winter. France’s decision to collaborate with WSP represents a reversal of its stance in January 2025 when the proposal was initially rejected. The French government deemed the Nova Scotia sanctuary the most ethical and legally compliant solution, although no formal agreement had been reached at that time.
The meeting attendees included scientific experts, government officials, and representatives from Marineland Antibes, the whales’ current owners. Marineland Antibes, which closed in compliance with a French law banning captive whales and dolphins for entertainment, expressed opposition to the relocation. The Whale Sanctuary Project has affirmed its commitment to facilitating a responsible transition for the whales, including health assessments prior to their move.
Both French and Canadian authorities have implemented regulations prohibiting the captivity of whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes. Marineland Antibes has raised concerns about the whales’ current living conditions, with images showing the whales swimming in water discolored by algae growth.
As discussions continue, the fate of Wikie and Keijo remains uncertain, pending a final decision from the French government by the end of March.
