French government officials convened in Paris on Monday with a U.S.-based organization seeking to relocate France’s remaining two captive whales to a proposed sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The fate of the orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, remains undecided as French authorities weigh between the option of transferring them to Spain’s Loro Parque zoo, a proposition previously dismissed by the Spanish government.
Following the meeting, France’s minister for ecological transition, Mathieu Lefevre, affirmed that a final verdict would be reached by the end of March. Lefevre emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring animal welfare, legal compliance, and addressing social and community concerns before any decision is made.
The proposal put forth by the Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) was thoroughly examined during the meeting. The WSP envisions establishing a 40-hectare seaside enclosure along Nova Scotia’s rugged eastern coast, equivalent in size to 50 football fields, encompassing a system of floating nets extending from the shoreline. Experts argue that captive whales lack essential survival skills and thus cannot be reintroduced into the wild.
The WSP initially unveiled its plan in 2020, securing provincial approval in October of the preceding year. However, construction is pending, awaiting a transfer license from Canada’s federal Fisheries Department and approximately $15 million in funding from private donors. The allocated funds are earmarked for refurbishing an aging wharf and erecting the enclosure near Wine Harbour, N.S., to facilitate the whales’ acclimatization before the onset of winter.
France’s decision to collaborate with WSP marks a departure from its stance in January 2025 when the organization’s offer was rebuffed due to concerns about the sanctuary’s readiness and ocean temperatures. Nonetheless, in December 2025, Lefevre endorsed relocating Wikie and Keijo to Nova Scotia as the “sole ethical, credible, and legally compliant solution,” despite opposition from their current owners, Marineland Antibes in southern France.
The meeting attendees comprised scientific experts, government representatives, local officials, and Marineland Antibes operators. The park, shuttered in January 2025 to adhere to a French law prohibiting captive whales and dolphins for entertainment, has faced criticism for the subpar conditions in which the whales are housed.
Moving forward, the Whale Sanctuary Project emphasized its commitment to facilitating a responsible transition process, including health assessments for the whales before their relocation. Collaboration with the French government and Marineland Antibes was underscored to ensure the well-being of Wikie and Keijo.