French government officials held a meeting in Paris with a U.S.-based organization aiming to relocate France’s final two captive whales to a proposed coastal sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The decision on moving the orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, is pending as French authorities deliberate between the Nova Scotia refuge and Spain’s Loro Parque zoo in the Canary Islands, which was previously rejected by the Spanish government.
Following the meeting, France’s minister for ecological transition, Mathieu Lefevre, stated that a final verdict would be reached by the end of March. Lefevre emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring animal welfare, compliance with the law, and addressing social and community concerns before any decision is made.
The Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) presented a plan for a 40-hectare seaside enclosure in Nova Scotia, likened to the size of 50 football fields, surrounded by floating nets to accommodate the whales. Experts highlighted that captive whales lack the essential survival skills to be reintroduced into the wild.
The WSP proposed initiative, approved provincially in October last year, awaits construction commencement and necessitates a transfer license from the federal Fisheries Department in Canada, along with fundraising approximately $15 million from private donors. The funds are crucial for refurbishing an old wharf and constructing the enclosure near Wine Harbour, N.S., essential for the whales’ adaptation before winter sets in due to their Mediterranean climate background.
The French government’s collaboration with WSP signifies a shift from its previous decision in January 2025 when it declined WSP’s offer citing timing concerns and ocean temperature issues. Despite opposition from Marineland Antibes, the owners of the whales, Lefevre announced in December 2025 that the relocation to Nova Scotia was the most ethical and legally compliant solution.
The meeting in Paris involved scientific experts, government officials, and Marineland Antibes operators, discussing the sensitive matter. The Whale Sanctuary Project reiterated its commitment to a smooth transition process, emphasizing health assessments for the whales pre-transfer and expressing readiness to cooperate with the French government and Marineland Antibes for the well-being of Wikie and Keijo.
