Bear scaring: in the Ariège department, a new decree... and an immediate counterattack
In the middle of summer, the bears of the Ariège region are being targeted by the State’s representatives. On the nights of August 5 to 8, agents from the French Office for Biodiversity, armed with 12-gauge shotguns loaded with double-detonation cartridges, will be able to carry out “reinforced scaring shots”. Even though the species is protected, and these interventions can have serious consequences for the animals targeted. And as always, the decree is published at the last minute to prevent us from taking action. But that didn’t stop us: on Saturday, we filed a petition for protection of fundamental liberties, which will enable us to obtain a decision within 48 hours at the latest. Hearing on August 6 at 11am at the Toulouse Administrative Court.
A new anti-bear decree published at the last minute
A few days ago, as we have done every summer for the past two years, we took legal action to force the Prefect of Haute-Garonne to publish his scare shooting authorizations several days before the operations, which is the only way for us to be able to attack in time. Apparently, the message didn’t get through.
In the Ariège department, on Friday August 2, the prefect issued a decree authorizing the scaring of a bear on the Trapech mountain pasture from Monday to August 8, at night. Without providing the slightest proof of any damage. There is simply mention of an attack in July, with no further details.
These operations, at the height of the breeding season and when many bears are carrying cubs, will have serious consequences due to the stress they cause. Ineffective measures, even though inexpensive alternatives exist and must be implemented.
Putting an end to the authorities’ relentlessness
Persecution: that’s how you could sum up the State’s actions with regard to ursids. A species that is supposed to be protected, whose individuals have been snatched away from their own to be imported into France, under constant threat of poaching, but which is constantly the subject of “scaring” orders.
In 2022, we obtained from the courts the suspension of all orders issued by the Ariège prefecture against brown bears. In 2023, for the first time, we successfully mobilized an extreme emergency procedure to defend the individuals once again targeted by the State. We are continuing our actions in 2024, to raise the voice of these harassed animals.