Two One Voice victories for shimmering mountain birds, three hearings to come
Since this autumn, grey partridges, rock partridges, black grouse, hazel grouse and rock ptarmigans have been slaughtered. While the threat of their disappearance looms over these emblematic birds of the French mountains, we have learned of two victories for their preservation in the Haute-Savoie and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence regions! Next hearings at the Council of State are this Friday, October 18 at 10:30 a.m., and on October 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the Nice court for the PACA region, and at 2:30 p.m. at the Montpellier court for the Pyrenees region.
In Provence, the judge in Marseilles recognized that this practice was detrimental to the conservation of 36 rock and “rochassière” partridges and 24 black grouse. Indeed, it cannot justify the extinction of animals who are on the IUCN red list. Similarly, in the Haute-Savoie region, the 177 black grouse and 6 rock partridges targeted will be able to live out this season in peace, since we have forced the federation to lay down its weapons. Rock ptarmigans, however, will not enjoy the same happy fate, as they can be killed for the sole pleasure of the false friends of biodiversity.
Hopes differ in the Occitanie region… While the detonations continue to be heard against our precious gallinaceans, the judges in Toulouse and Pau have rejected our appeal… Beyond the suffering and death inflicted on these birds, this means further reducing their numbers, which have already been declining for several years, due to climate change, intensive pastoralism and the regression of open environments in our massifs. In addition, in support of our partner the Comité écologique ariégeois, which won a victory for the rock ptarmigans that was contested by the hunters, we will be going to the Council of State this Friday at 10:30am!
The fight goes on this October 18 at the Council of State, then on October 22 at the Nice court at 9:30 am with FNE PACA and LPO PACA against the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture’s decree, and at the Montpellier court at 2:30 pm against the Pyrenees prefecture’s decision.
Another setback for a ministry determined to hunt endangered birds
After the suspension of the decree authorizing the hunting of rock ptarmigans obtained by the Ariège Ecological Committee, the Ministry of Ecological Transition appealed, arguing that the interim relief should not be misused.
We took part in this procedure, as we had also filed an appeal with the Toulouse Administrative Court on behalf of these same birds and were keen to defend them. We were therefore present this morning at the Council of State.
Of the quota of ten endangered birds that the ministry had authorized to be shot in the Ariège region, only one was shot before the suspension was obtained in Toulouse… And with only one day of hunting left, the highest court ruled today. In essence: one ptarmigan killed is one too many! The Council therefore did not reopen the hunt. The decision is historic, as it is only the second time that the Council of State has applied the right to “a healthy and balanced environment”.
We were waiting for it: another triumph for the preservation of our mountain galliformes in the Hautes-Alpes region!
The 160 rock partridges and 73 black grouse out of the 80 that were subject to a special hunting permit in the Hautes-Alpes region have been saved. Despite the hunting season already being underway, the Marseille court, referred to by One Voice, LPO PACA, and SAPN-FNE 05, has issued an emergency suspension on the hunting of these birds, which are typical of mountainous regions.
With their populations in decline and considered near threatened, these birds have once again been saved thanks to the actions of associations representing the general public. It would be most welcome if the prefectures would finally listen to the courts and stop playing with the lives of animals to please a tiny portion of the population that carries death on their shoulders.
Despite their small numbers, hundreds of partridges are doomed in the Pyrénées-Orientales region
On October 22, the judge in Montpellier rejected our request to suspend the hunting of 568 partridges out of the 6,500 potentially present (i.e., nearly one in a hundred) throughout the Pyrenees mountain range. Despite the urgency recognized by the court not to compromise the conservation of these blue-gray birds, no argument was taken into account to save them.
This decision, which lacks justification, can only be explained by the department’s fierce determination to maintain this practice. We are not giving up, on the contrary! Now more than ever, we must fight for the mountain galliformes. We will not give in!
This is a great victory in the PACA region: 180 rock partridges have been saved!
While hunting rock partridges was allowed in the Alpes-Maritimes region until November 11, the Nice judge recognized the harm caused to the protection of these 180 endangered galliformes. The decree has been suspended!
Thanks to our action with the LPO PACA and FNE PACA, this request once again proves the importance of our fight for these legendary wild birds, which already suffer from numerous disturbances, particularly during their breeding season.