A non-profit organization in Nova Scotia has been unsuccessful in its attempt to relocate two orcas from France to a coastal sanctuary designated for retired marine theme park whales. The Whale Sanctuary Project confirmed on Friday that Wikie and her son Keijo will be sent to Loro Parque zoo in Spain’s Tenerife Island, as per the decision made by the French government.
This development represents a significant setback for the group, which had proposed the creation of a 40-hectare sanctuary near Wine Harbour, N.S., over six years ago. The expansive enclosure, equivalent in size to 50 football fields, was designed to feature floating nets around the perimeter. Experts emphasize that whales and dolphins raised in captivity lack the essential skills for survival in the wild, making their return unfeasible.
Following the closure of Marineland Antibes in southern France in January 2025 to comply with a 2021 French law prohibiting the captivity of whales and dolphins for entertainment, the French government agreed to transfer the orcas to the zoo in the Canary Islands. The sanctuary in Nova Scotia had initially been favored for the relocation, according to statements from French officials in December.
However, recent remarks by Mathieu Lefevre, the minister overseeing ecological transition, indicated that the orcas are considered private property of Marineland Antibes. Despite previous approvals and ongoing construction plans for the Nova Scotia sanctuary, formalities such as the signing of a 20-year Crown lease and obtaining federal permits for whale transfers are still pending.
Charles Vinick, CEO of the Whale Sanctuary Project, expressed disappointment over the decision, highlighting the project’s adherence to laws prohibiting marine mammal captivity for entertainment purposes. Vinick underscored concerns that transferring the orcas to Loro Parque zoo could perpetuate practices contrary to the intended goals of the legislation.
The organization remains optimistic about securing funding to complete the sanctuary construction and provide long-term care for captive whales, emphasizing its commitment to offering a sanctuary supporting whales worldwide as more entities move away from captivity practices.