May 6, 2025 by News Desk
Table of Contents
Incident Overview
In a notable case in France, an 81-year-old man has received a four-month suspended prison sentence and a fine for the unlawful killing of a protected brown bear in the Pyrenees mountains. The incident took place during a boar hunt in 2021, when the bear attacked the hunter, who claimed he acted in self-defense.
Court Proceedings and Outcome
The judicial proceedings were held in the Foix Criminal Court, where it was revealed that the hunter, alongside fifteen other individuals, was fined over €60,000 in total as they faced civil claims from environmental groups. The female bear, weighing approximately 150 kg and known as Caramelles, was later preserved and is currently exhibited at the Toulouse Natural History Museum.
Details of the Attack
During the hunt, the group encountered bear cubs, which prompted their mother to charge at them. The hunter described the traumatic encounter, stating, “She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot. She backed away growling, she went around me and bit my right calf.” He recounted that amidst the struggle, he reloaded his weapon and shot the bear.
Legal Violations
The hunting incident occurred in the Mont Valier nature reserve, a region off-limits for such activities, situated 1,300 feet outside the designated hunting area. Prosecutors indicated that the group should not have been in the area at all. The defense argued that inadequate signage contributed to this oversight.
Penalty Imposed
Following the incident, the hunter had his firearm confiscated, incurred a fine of €750, and saw his hunting license revoked. Environmental advocates have expressed satisfaction with the penalties imposed on the hunters, noting that the verdict serves as a reminder to the hunting community about respecting wildlife laws.
Bear Conservation Efforts
The brown bear population in the Pyrenees has significantly diminished over the years, dwindling to around 70 individuals by 1954. Conservation efforts have slowly improved these numbers, with an estimated 96 bears residing in the mountains as of 2024, a recovery partially supported by the reintroduction of bears from Slovenia in the 1990s.
Community Reactions
Sabine Matraire, president of the bear conservation group Pays de l’ours, deemed the court’s decision appropriate, expressing hope that it will raise awareness among hunters about the importance of wildlife protection.
Exposing the Big Game 