New wolf captivity areas? It’s a no!
One Voice opposes two projects submitted for public consultation that allow captive wolves to be exhibited.
What a funny idea to always want to confine wild animals! Although we support the creation of sanctuaries where the residents welcomed live peacefully in large spaces away from the public, we fiercely oppose the exploitation of animals by commercial establishments. Whether it be in Cerdon (45) or Chaux-Neuve (25), we are therefore going against two new projects of this kind. These majestic and intelligent animals should be associated with a life of freedom and peace in the wild and certainly not with commercial enterprises. And yet…
Here, 0020where they are naturally present, it is more about survival for the wolves given that ever-increasing lethal shots are agreed with farmers by the State and the direction that the future “national action plan on the species” is going in. When it comes to captive individuals, we wonder what the point of creating new fenced parks is when there are already almost a thousand of them locked up in France for the sole purpose of human hobbies.
Permanent exhibition and business seminars: the business surrounding wolves
Two public enquiries are under way, in particular with a view to authorising the captivity of Arctic wolves. The purpose of these projects raises particular questions.
In Cerdon, in the Loiret department, 6 wolves were kept captive in an enclosure the size of a small football pitch. Their observation will be used in coaching sessions. Because yes, their presence will provide support for business training courses and seminars organised for profit. They are far from living a life of freedom… Especially given that, if the project is successful, wolves will not even be able to escape being watched by clients. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that the town has shown that they are not in favour of this and that the prefecture has refused for the first time for such exploitation to be able to open its doors…
In the Doubs department, the project is more ‘traditional’ but just as intolerable as it involves exhibiting animals who are trapped in a restricted space. In any case, either way, this is an intolerable commercialisation of living sentient beings with no aim to save them and which cannot even claim to hide behind the usual – and questionable – argument of conservation.
Free wolves to be urgently protected
Those who say they are passionate about wolves to the point of wanting to keep them captive would do better to commit to protecting free individuals who are not given a break by the government. On this subject, let’s remember that the ministry is trying to facilitate lethal shootings and that the plan being implemented is lacking so much protection that it almost seems like a terrible joke.
Take part in the consultations by the Ministry of the Ecological Transition and Ministry for Territorial Cohesion before 7 December and sign our petition so that wolves can finally live in peace.
Translated from the French by Joely Justice