N.S. Whale Sanctuary Project: France says captive whales remain private property

The site for a proposed whale sanctuary is seen in an area south of Port Hilford, N.S., in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Whale Sanctuary Project (Mandatory Credit)

HALIFAX — The government of France says it has yet to make a decision about the fate of two captive killer whales that an animal welfare group wants to bring to a proposed coastal refuge in Nova Scotia.

French officials had said it would make a decision by March 31, but that deadline came and went.

On Tuesday, the country’s minister responsible for ecological transition told a French senate committee that the two orcas, Wikie and Keijo, remain the private property of Marineland Antibes in the south of France.

“Regarding Canada, I would just note that Marineland doesn’t want a transfer to Canada,” Mathieu Lefèvre told the committee.

“And being extremely respectful of private property, we must recognize that these animals are not the property of the French government. They are the property of Marineland. We must also take this position into account, before anything else.”

Lefèvre gave no indication of when the French government would make a decision.

“As soon as we can make a decision that respects the health and well-being of the animals, and of the social and economic situation, we will do this,” he told the committee.

The marine theme park in Antibes closed in January 2025 after the government passed a law that will prohibit cetaceans from being kept in captivity for entertainment purposes by the end of this year.

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The privately funded Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia issued a statement Thursday saying the organization was looking forward to working with the government of France and Marineland Antibes.

“While current laws classify whales as property, an unfortunate reality, we do not believe ownership alone should determine the future of Wikie and Keijo,” said Charles Vinick, CEO of the non-profit project.

“We stand ready to work collaboratively with the owners of Marineland Antibes, the trainers who are currently caring for the whales, and the government to support a safe and successful transition for whales like Wikie and Keijo.”

In December, France’s Ministry of Ecological Transition identified the Whale Sanctuary Project as the most credible option that meets French legal requirements. At the time, Lefèvre said that despite his government’s endorsement, there remained a lack of consensus among stakeholders.

Last month, the Whale Sanctuary Project announced it had begun clearing land at its site at Wine Harbour in eastern Nova Scotia. Organizers say a large sea pen with floating nets should be completed by the second half of this year.

The organization wants to build a 40-hectare underwater enclosure that could hold up to 10 whales retired from marine theme parks. A fence has already been erected around the property, about 200 kilometres east of Halifax.

In October, the Nova Scotia government approved a 20-year lease for the group, covering 83 hectares of Crown lands and coastal waters.

But the project requires transfer permits from the federal Fisheries Department and plenty of fundraising to cover the $15-million cost of construction and $1.5 million in annual operating expenses.

By Michael MacDonald

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 9, 2026.