A gang attempts to trap a wolf in the Alps

The wolves living in the Écrins National Park are constantly persecuted by local farmers and poachers! Last year we had already submitted a complaint against the 'Front de libération du Champsaur' (Champsaur Liberation Front) for conspiracy to destroy a protected species and conspiracy to attempt to destroy a protected species. Then this Summer, only a few days short of that sordid anniversary, it happened again.

“Out of love for his animals” he reckons – but he won't get away with it!

A sheep-farmer who also runs a shop, an inn and a bed-and-breakfast 'denounced' himself in the local press : 

Even attempting to harm a wolf is a serious offence!

We submitted a complaint about this on 31 July this year, because luring wolves with a view to killing them violates the ban on destroying animals belonging to protected species and constitutes an offence under the environment code. Destroying an animal belonging to a protected species is punishable by two years' imprisonment and a fine of 150,000 Euros, which is doubled if the offences are committed in the heart of a National Park; and if there has been conspiracy to commit the offence (i.e. if it was planned by several people) the punishment is seven years' imprisonment and a fine of 750,000 Euros. The environment code states that attempting to commit such a crime is subject to the same penalties. In fact it is deemed to be a serious offence.

Illegal and totally illogical persecution

Each year more and more wolves are moving into and settling in France, with no attack on a human ever being recorded. Yet each year the State authorizes an increasing number of them to be killed despite the fact that in theory they are protected. This year the size of their territory has remained the same and their numbers have not increased. We have written to the Minister of Ecology to request that the shooting of wolves be suspended.

Until wolves are properly protected in our country we will fight every step of the way to ensure that there can be no doubt that such crimes will not go unpunished. The wolves and all the animals in the Alps must be able to benefit from vast territories in order to live free, and humans from being happy about it! Our complaint relating to conspiracy to destroy animals of a protected species in the heart of a national park or a natural reserve was submitted on 31 July 2020.

Translated from the French by Patricia Fairey