France rejects plan to send its last two captive orcas to live in Nova Scotia refuge
French officials said the move follows the whales’ owners’ request, while a Nova Scotia sanctuary group called the decision a major setback.
- The French government decided to transfer killer whales Wikie and Keijo to Spain's Loro Parque zoo on Tenerife Island, rejecting a proposed relocation to the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia.
- Marineland Antibes closed in January 2025 to comply with a 2021 French law banning whales and dolphins from captive entertainment, necessitating relocation of the orcas to a new facility.
- Sanctuary CEO Charles Vinick called the decision "devastating for the whales," noting that Loro Parque "continues to rely on performance-based programming and breeding, particularly following the deaths of four orcas at the facility since 2019."
- Minister of Ecological Transition Mathieu Lefevre stated in April that the whales are private property of Marineland, adding that owners stated Marineland "doesn't want a transfer to Canada."
- Construction planning continues near Wine Harbour, Nova Scotia, as the Sanctuary remains confident in securing funding and federal permits to complete the 40-hectare enclosure for retired captive whales.
26 Articles
26 Articles
A non-profit organization failed to bring two orcas from France to live in a sanctuary by the sea in NS.
France rejects plan to send its last 2 captive orcas to live in Nova Scotia refuge
The decision marks a major setback for the privately funded Whale Sanctuary Project, which announced plans to build a 40-hectare floating enclosure near Wine Harbour, N.S., more than six years ago.
The Toronto Star
France rejects plan to send its last two captive orcas to live in Nova Scotia refuge
HALIFAX - A non-profit group in Nova Scotia has failed in its bid to bring two orcas from France to live in a seaside refuge being built for whales retired from marine theme parks.
ledauphine.com
"If we don't do anything, we condemn them," said the minister responsible for ecological transition in an interview in Nice-Matin. "Animal NGOs are opposed to this transfer.
The two orcas of the Marineland of Antibes must be able to be transferred quickly to a Spanish park, argues Minister Mathieu Lefèvre this Thursday. Since the closure of the water park in January 2025, the cetaceans remain in basins that are deteriorating, and their lives are threatened "if nothing is done", he insisted. "All authorizations are available", he assured, evoking an "emergency situation". - "No credible alternative": France wants to …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
