**A recent court ruling sheds light on the tensions between hunting practices and wildlife protection in France, particularly regarding endangered species.**
**81-Year-Old Hunter Sentenced for Killing Endangered Bear in France**
**81-Year-Old Hunter Sentenced for Killing Endangered Bear in France**
**Suspended sentence highlights wildlife conservation issues in the Pyrenees**
An 81-year-old hunter in France has received a four-month suspended sentence and a fine for killing a protected bear in the Pyrenees mountains during a boar-hunt in 2021. The hunter argued he acted in self-defense when the bear attacked him, a claim central to the case presented at Foix Criminal Court. The incident involved a female bear named Caramelles, weighing approximately 150 kg, which has since been preserved and is now exhibited at the Toulouse Natural History Museum.
During the encounter, two bear cubs approached the hunting group, prompting their mother to appear and charge at the hunter, dragging him several meters before he fired his weapon in panic. "She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot," he recounted, describing the fierce struggle as the bear bit into his leg. Prosecutors highlighted that the group was hunting outside the designated area, arguing that they had no business in the region, which sits 1,300 ft (396 m) outside of an authorized hunting zone.
The court sentenced not only the shooter but also imposed fines on 15 other hunters, who collectively owe more than €60,000 (£51,000) to environmental associations. Defense attorney Fanny Campagne criticized the lack of signage denoting hunting restrictions, asserting that the hunters were not adequately informed. The bear preservation group, Pays de l'ours, hailed the verdict as a crucial step in ensuring accountability among hunting communities.
Brown bear populations in the Pyrenees have historically faced significant declines, falling to just about 70 bears in 1954. However, thanks to a reintroduction program initiated in the 1990s, the bear populations have gradually increased, with estimates now suggesting around 96 bears inhabit the area as of 2024. This case underscores ongoing concerns about wildlife conservation efforts amid hunting activities, sparking discussions about the future of endangered species in these regions.
During the encounter, two bear cubs approached the hunting group, prompting their mother to appear and charge at the hunter, dragging him several meters before he fired his weapon in panic. "She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot," he recounted, describing the fierce struggle as the bear bit into his leg. Prosecutors highlighted that the group was hunting outside the designated area, arguing that they had no business in the region, which sits 1,300 ft (396 m) outside of an authorized hunting zone.
The court sentenced not only the shooter but also imposed fines on 15 other hunters, who collectively owe more than €60,000 (£51,000) to environmental associations. Defense attorney Fanny Campagne criticized the lack of signage denoting hunting restrictions, asserting that the hunters were not adequately informed. The bear preservation group, Pays de l'ours, hailed the verdict as a crucial step in ensuring accountability among hunting communities.
Brown bear populations in the Pyrenees have historically faced significant declines, falling to just about 70 bears in 1954. However, thanks to a reintroduction program initiated in the 1990s, the bear populations have gradually increased, with estimates now suggesting around 96 bears inhabit the area as of 2024. This case underscores ongoing concerns about wildlife conservation efforts amid hunting activities, sparking discussions about the future of endangered species in these regions.
