French officials in Paris met with a U.S.-based organization aiming to relocate France’s last two captive whales to a proposed sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The meeting concluded without a decision as French authorities are evaluating the possibility of moving the orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, to Spain’s Loro Parque zoo, a plan previously rejected by Spain.
France’s minister for ecological transition, Mathieu Lefevre, stated that a final verdict regarding the whales’ relocation would be reached by the end of March. Emphasizing the importance of animal welfare, legal compliance, and community considerations, Lefevre highlighted that any decision would be made cautiously.
The meeting allowed the French government to review a proposal by the Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) for a 40-hectare seaside enclosure in Nova Scotia. The sanctuary, as large as 50 football fields, is designed with floating nets to accommodate whales that cannot survive in the wild due to captivity.
The WSP initially announced the sanctuary project in 2020 and received provincial approval in October last year. However, construction has not commenced, and the group still requires a transfer license from the federal Fisheries Department and approximately $15 million in funding from private donors for refurbishments and enclosure construction near Wine Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Despite a previous rejection in 2025, the French government’s decision to collaborate with WSP marks a shift towards considering Nova Scotia as the ethical and feasible relocation site for Wikie and Keijo. The whales’ current owner, Marineland Antibes, has opposed the move to Nova Scotia.
The ongoing discussions involve various stakeholders, including scientific experts, state representatives, local officials, and Marineland Antibes operators. The aim is to ensure a responsible transition process for the whales, which will include health assessments before any relocation.
In a recent statement, the Whale Sanctuary Project expressed commitment to facilitating a smooth transition for the whales and emphasized collaboration with the French government and Marineland Antibes for the welfare of Wikie and Keijo.
