French government officials in Paris met with a U.S.-based group on Monday to discuss relocating France’s last two captive whales to a proposed coastal sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The officials are considering moving the orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, to Spain’s Loro Parque zoo on the Canary Islands, as an alternative option that had been previously rejected by the Spanish government.
No final decisions were made during the meeting, as French authorities are still evaluating both proposals. The Minister for Ecological Transition stated that a decision would be reached by the end of March, emphasizing the importance of ensuring animal welfare, legal compliance, and community considerations.
The Whale Sanctuary Project presented a plan to build a 40-hectare seaside enclosure in Nova Scotia, which is as large as 50 football fields and would include floating nets to secure the area. Due to the whales’ captivity history, experts believe they cannot be released into the wild as they lack essential survival skills.
The WSP’s proposal, announced in 2020 and approved provincially in October last year, requires approximately $15 million in funding from private donors for construction. The refurbishment of an old wharf and the enclosure’s construction near Wine Harbour, N.S., are crucial for the whales’ relocation, especially before winter sets in.
The decision to collaborate with the Whale Sanctuary Project signifies a shift from the French government’s previous stance in January 2025, when the proposal was initially declined due to concerns about readiness and environmental factors. Despite opposition from the whales’ owners and stakeholders, the decision to relocate the whales to Nova Scotia was considered the most ethical and legally sound solution.
The meeting participants included scientific experts, government representatives, local officials, and operators of Marineland Antibes, which closed in compliance with a French law banning captive marine mammals for entertainment purposes. The project aims to ensure a responsible transition process for the whales, emphasizing the need for health assessments before the relocation.
The Whale Sanctuary Project expressed its commitment to supporting the welfare of Wikie and Keijo during the transition process, highlighting the importance of collaboration with the French government and Marineland Antibes.