French officials in Paris recently met with a U.S.-based group to discuss the potential relocation of France’s last two captive whales to a proposed coastal refuge in Nova Scotia. The meeting concluded without a decision as the French government is still weighing options, including moving the orcas, Wikie and Keijo, to Spain’s Loro Parque zoo, an option previously rejected by the Spanish government.
France’s minister for ecological transition stated that a final decision regarding the whales’ relocation would be made by the end of March. Emphasizing responsibility and thoroughness, Mathieu Lefevre asserted that any decision would prioritize animal welfare, legal compliance, and community considerations.
The meeting allowed the French government to review the proposal put forth by the Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP), which aims to establish a seaside pen on Nova Scotia’s eastern coast spanning 40 hectares, equivalent to 50 football fields. Experts argue that captive whales cannot survive in the wild due to the lack of essential survival skills.
The WSP’s proposal, announced in 2020, received provincial approval in October of the previous year. However, construction has yet to commence, and the group still requires a transfer license from the federal Fisheries Department along with approximately $15 million in funding from private donors to proceed with the project.
The refurbishment of an old wharf and the construction of the enclosure in Nova Scotia are crucial, with completion planned for the warmer months to facilitate the whales’ acclimatization before winter sets in. The decision to collaborate with the WSP signifies a change in stance from the French government, which initially rejected the proposal in January 2025 but later deemed it the most ethical and legally compliant solution in December of the same year.
Despite opposition from Marineland Antibes, the current owners of the whales, the French government is considering the move to Nova Scotia. The Paris meeting, attended by various stakeholders, including scientific experts and local officials, aimed to address the sensitive issue of the whales’ relocation. The WSP expressed commitment to ensuring a responsible transition process, emphasizing the necessity of health assessments for Wikie and Keijo before the move.
As discussions continue, the fate of the captive whales remains uncertain, with multiple stakeholders involved in the decision-making process.