An 81-year-old hunter has been given a four-month suspended jail sentence and fined for killing an endangered bear in the Pyrenees mountains, a decision that underscores ongoing tensions around hunting regulations and wildlife protection. The incident, which took place during a boar hunt in 2021, ended tragically for the female bear, affectionately named Caramelles, whose preserved body is currently displayed at the Toulouse Natural History Museum.
During the hunt, the hunter was reportedly attacked by the mother bear after her cubs were spotted. He described a frantic encounter in court, where he stated that the bear had bitten him, prompting him to fire in self-defense. "She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot... I fell, she was eating my leg," he recounted. Despite his claims, the court emphasized the hunting party's unlawful presence, as they were hunting outside the designated area.
In addition to the suspended sentence, the hunter was fined €750, had his rifle confiscated, and lost his hunting license. Other hunters involved in the incident were also fined, resulting in a total of more than €60,000 in damages to be paid to environmental associations that had pursued civil action against them.
Consumer reaction has been sharply divided. Bear-preservation organization Pays de l'ours regarded the verdict as a significant step, with its president, Sabine Matraire, asserting that the hunters' collective conviction is a vital message to the hunting community. She expressed hope for increased awareness regarding the absence of safe hunting practices among hunters.
Brown bear populations in the Pyrenees have significantly rebounded since a severe decline in the mid-20th century, growing from roughly 70 bears in 1954 to an estimated 96 today, following reintroduction efforts in the 1990s. This ruling adds a new chapter to the ongoing dialogue about coexistence and the preservation of these majestic creatures in the region.
