An 81-year-old French hunter, Andr� Rives, has been handed a four-month suspended prison sentence for killing an endangered female brown bear in the Pyrenees mountains. The incident, which occurred in November 2021, has ignited a national debate in France, highlighting the tensions between wildlife conservation efforts and traditional hunting practices.
On November 20, 2021, Rives was participating in a wild boar hunt with 15 other hunters in the Mont Valier nature reserve, a protected area in the Ari�ge region of southern France. During the hunt, Rives encountered two bear cubs, followed closely by their mother, a 140-kilogram bear named Caramelles. The bear charged at Rives, dragging him several meters and inflicting severe injuries to both his legs. In a state of panic and fearing for his life, Rives shot and killed the bear. He was subsequently airlifted to a hospital for treatment .
The court in Foix, France, found Rives guilty of destroying a protected species, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a �150,000 fine. However, considering the circumstances, the court imposed a four-month suspended sentence. Additionally, Rives and the 15 other hunters involved in the hunt were fined several hundred euros each and had their hunting licenses revoked. Collectively, they were ordered to pay over �60,000 in damages to environmental groups .
Rives� defense argued that he acted in self-defense, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of the bear attack. He recounted in court how he admired the bear cubs before their mother charged at him, stating, �I made myself very small. Then the mother saw me. Our eyes met, she charged.� He described the attack in detail, explaining that he had no choice but to shoot to save his life .
The prosecution, however, contended that the hunters were illegally present in a no-hunting zone within the nature reserve. They argued that the hunters should have been aware of their location and the protected status of the area. The court emphasized that the trial was not about being pro- or anti-bear but about the legality of the hunters� actions .
The killing of Caramelles, a reproductive female bear, has raised concerns among conservationists. The brown bear population in the Pyrenees, once nearly extinct, has been slowly recovering due to reintroduction programs initiated in the 1990s. As of 2023, there are more than 80 bears in the region .
Environmental groups have expressed outrage over the incident, emphasizing the importance of protecting endangered species. They argue that the loss of a breeding female is a significant setback for conservation efforts. Some activists have called for the reintroduction of another bear to compensate for Caramelles� death, an operation estimated to cost around �100,000 .
This case underscores the ongoing conflict between traditional hunting practices and modern conservation efforts in France. While hunters argue for the preservation of their cultural heritage, conservationists stress the need to protect endangered species and maintain ecological balance. The court�s decision reflects an attempt to balance these competing interests, acknowledging the life-threatening situation faced by Rives while upholding the legal protections afforded to endangered wildlife.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in wildlife conservation, especially in regions where human activities intersect with the habitats of protected species. It highlights the necessity for clear regulations, proper signage in protected areas, and ongoing education for hunters and the public about the importance of biodiversity and conservation.
