Animal rights groups are urging the French government to reconsider rehoming two killer whales, Wikie and her son Keijo, at The Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) in Nova Scotia, Canada. The orcas are currently held at Marineland Antibes in France, which closed in January.
A previous application to transfer them to Loro Parque in Tenerife was blocked by Spanish authorities. The WSP argues that their sanctuary is the only viable option left, as French authorities have not yet secured a suitable European location.
Animal rights groups advocate for rehoming the orcas in a sanctuary. Here, they would have more space and would not be forced to breed or perform. Marineland emphasizes the urgency of transferring the animals to an operational destination for their welfare.