An elderly hunter was fined and received a suspended jail sentence after killing a protected bear during a boar-hunt in France's Pyrenees, prompting discussions on wildlife protection and the responsibilities of hunters in nature reserves.
French Hunter Fined and Sentenced for Killing Endangered Bear in the Pyrenees
French Hunter Fined and Sentenced for Killing Endangered Bear in the Pyrenees
An 81-year-old hunter in France receives a suspended sentence and fine for the shooting of a protected brown bear, raising concerns over hunting laws and wildlife preservation.
An 81-year-old hunter in France has been sentenced to a four-month suspended prison term and fined for killing a protected brown bear in the Pyrenees during a 2021 boar-hunt. The incident involved the hunter being charged by the bear, leading to his claim of self-defense. The bear, a 150kg female named Caramelles, was later taxidermied and is now exhibited at the Toulouse Natural History Museum.
The incident took place in the Mont Valier nature reserve, where the hunter, along with fifteen others, was reportedly hunting outside of designated areas. Each of the hunters has been ordered to collectively pay over €60,000 (£51,000) in damages to environmental groups that initiated the civil suit against them. During the trial, the prosecution highlighted that the hunters were in an unauthorized zone, pointing out that compliance with hunting regulations is crucial for animal protection.
In his defense, the lawyer for the group argued that there were insufficient markers indicating hunting restrictions in the area. The defendant reported that he had no choice but to shoot in response to the bear's aggressive behavior after it attacked him. He faced repercussions including a €750 fine, revocation of his hunting licence, and confiscation of his weapon.
Wildlife advocacy group Pays de l'ours expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, emphasizing the importance of accountability among hunters. The ruling is seen as a critical measure aimed at raising awareness within the hunting community about the necessity for wildlife conservation.
Historically, the brown bear population in the Pyrenees has suffered greatly, with numbers dwindling to about 70 in 1954. Since the reintroduction efforts in the 1990s, the French Office for Biodiversity estimates there are now around 96 bears in the region, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance in protecting these animals from hunting and habitat encroachment.
