Elderly Hunter Sentenced for Killing Endangered Bear in France

The incident, which occurred in 2021, led to the sentencing of the hunter and fines for other associates due to violating hunting regulations, triggering discussions on wildlife conservation and hunting practices.

An 81-year-old hunter in France has been fined and has received a four-month suspended jail sentence for his role in the killing of an endangered brown bear, known as Caramelles, in the Pyrenees mountains. The hunter claimed he had no choice but to shoot the bear when it aggressively charged at him during a boar-hunting excursion in 2021.

Twelve other hunters involved in the incident were also fined, collectively required to pay over €60,000 (£51,000) in damages to various environmental organizations that brought a civil suit against them. The female bear weighed approximately 150kg and has since been preserved and put on display at the Toulouse Natural History Museum, drawing attention to wildlife conservation issues.

During the trial at the Foix Criminal Court, details emerged of how the hunters were confronted with bear cubs, leading to an aggressive encounter with their mother. In recounting the event, the hunter stated, "She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot. She backed away growling, she went around me and bit my right calf, I fell; she was eating my leg." This alarming scenario prompted him to reload and fire again, ultimately killing the bear.

Prosecutors emphasized that the hunters were in violation of regulations, having operated over 1,300ft (396m) outside of authorized hunting areas. However, the defense for the majority of the hunters argued against the shortcomings in signage that indicated hunting was prohibited, suggesting a lack of clarity in the area.

As a result of the court's decision, the main perpetrator received a €750 fine, his hunting rifle was confiscated, and his hunting license was revoked. Following the sentencing, the bear-preservation group Pays de l'ours expressed satisfaction with the verdict, noting that accountability for all hunters involved was crucial. Sabine Matraire, the association president, remarked, "We hope that this ruling will be followed by a raising of awareness among the hunting community."

In decades past, the brown bear population in the Pyrenees had drastically dwindled, with only about 70 remaining in 1954. However, following a reintroduction program in the 1990s, the numbers have modestly increased. As of 2024, the French Office for Biodiversity estimates that approximately 96 bears currently reside in the mountain range, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect this species against illegal hunting and habitat encroachment.