French government officials held a meeting in Paris on Monday with a U.S.-based organization interested in relocating France’s last two captive whales to a proposed coastal sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The fate of the orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, remains undecided as French authorities are also considering transferring them to Spain’s Loro Parque zoo in the Canary Islands, a plan previously rejected by Spanish officials.
Following the meeting, France’s minister for ecological transition, Mathieu Lefevre, stated that a final decision is expected by the end of March. Lefevre emphasized that any decision must prioritize animal welfare, compliance with the law, and community considerations. The meeting allowed the French government to review a proposal from the Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) to establish a 40-hectare seaside enclosure in Nova Scotia.
The WSP’s proposal, initially announced in 2020 and approved provincially in October last year, is pending construction and requires a transfer license from Canada’s federal Fisheries Department. The organization also needs to secure approximately $15 million from private donors to fund the refurbishment of an old wharf and the construction of the sanctuary in Nova Scotia.
The decision to collaborate with the WSP represents a shift from the French government’s previous stance in January 2025 when they rejected the WSP’s offer. Lefevre highlighted the urgency of the situation, stressing that the proposed sanctuary in Nova Scotia is the most ethical, credible, and legally compliant solution for Wikie and Keijo.
The meeting attendees included scientific experts, government representatives, local officials, and operators of Marineland Antibes, where the whales are currently housed. Marineland Antibes, which closed in January 2025 to comply with French legislation prohibiting captive whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes, has expressed opposition to the whales’ relocation.
The WSP reiterated its commitment to facilitating a responsible transition process for the whales and emphasized the need for health assessments before any move. The organization expressed readiness to collaborate with the French government and Marineland Antibes to ensure the well-being of Wikie and Keijo during the transition.