One Voice volunteers rallying to defend wolves in France and Europe every weekend in October

Because the official protection that they should receive is violently abused by French authorities who order exceptional shootings (which could even resemble a planned extermination as the quotas increase from year to year, and questions relating to the counting of wolves are subject to controversy) and barely concealed poaching.

On a European level, their protection is now also called into question. One Voice has been opposing this at administrative tribunals, at the State Council, and also at legal tribunals for years. Likewise, we are constantly raising awareness among the public and public decision-makers, but the task is proving difficult.

The reason: irrational fears and a collective imagination that reinforces these fears, based on fantasies and an inability to think calmly about our coexistence with nature and animals (its inhabitants) other than from a perspective of power and by invading. Intensive farming on the mountainside no longer has the idealised image that people want to portray to us, of lone shepherdesses accompanying a few sheep to high altitude pastures.

Wild animals are disappearing from our planet, those who live in France and Europe are no exception, and the crisis that we meet on a climatic level should not solely be thought about with regard to a transition to clean energy. It also has a lot to do with our way of understanding others, including animals, of which wolves are an integral part. Will systematic killing continue to be the chosen option?

One Voice activists will therefore be working closely among the public to raise awareness of wolves, these wild and free cousins of dogs, and getting them to sign our petition to end their persecution.

Organised events:

• Saturday 7 October:

Nice (06)

In Nice specifically (which is starting the ball rolling for these events), in addition to a magnificent banner showing a photograph of a wolf, we are planning two marquees, including a classic information stand and another focused in particular on the ‘youth’ with cuddly toys and information appropriate for children.

A street interview will also take place, around our classic ‘audience participation event’, with signs and wolf masks, as well as an awareness speech. We will play a forest soundtrack. Our activists will meet the public.

• Sunday 8 October:

Bordeaux (33)

• Saturday 14 October:

Amiens (80)
Digne-les-Bains (04)
Montpellier (34)
Limoges (87)
Metz (57)
Aix-en-Provence (13)
Troyes (10)
Flers (14)

• Sunday 15 October:

Rouen (76)

• Saturday 21 October:

Nantes (44)
Bar-Le-Duc (55)

• Saturday 28 October:

Strasbourg (67)

Translated from the French by Joely Justice