French authorities in Paris met with a U.S.-based organization on Monday to discuss relocating France’s last two captive whales to a proposed sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The French officials are still weighing the option of transferring the orcas, Wikie and her calf Keijo, to Spain’s Loro Parque zoo in the Canary Islands, a plan previously rejected by the Spanish government. A final decision on the whales’ relocation is expected by the end of March, according to Mathieu Lefevre, the Minister for Ecological Transition in France.
The Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) presented a proposal for a 40-hectare seaside enclosure in Nova Scotia, resembling the size of 50 football fields, during the meeting. This initiative aims to provide a suitable environment for the whales, as they lack essential survival skills after being raised in captivity. The WSP received provincial approval for the project in October last year but still needs a transfer license from Canada’s federal Fisheries Department and around $15 million in funding from private donors for construction.
The sanctuary, to be located near Wine Harbour, N.S., requires refurbishing an old wharf and constructing the enclosure, which will be anchored to the bay’s bottom. Timing is crucial as the whales, accustomed to a mild climate, will need time to adapt before winter sets in. This decision marks a turnaround from the French government’s initial rejection of the WSP’s offer in 2025, citing concerns about readiness and ocean temperature.
Despite opposition from Marineland Antibes, the owners of the whales, the French government is exploring the possibility of moving Wikie and Keijo to Nova Scotia. Discussions at the Paris meeting involved scientific experts, state officials, local representatives, and operators from Marineland Antibes. The sanctuary proposal aligns with laws prohibiting keeping whales and dolphins captive for entertainment purposes in France and Canada.
The WSP emphasized the importance of a responsible transition process, including health assessments for the whales before relocation. Collaboration between the French government, Marineland Antibes, and the WSP is crucial for the welfare of Wikie and Keijo.