Four fallow deer spread panic in the Prefecture of Ardeche

Four fallow deer spread panic in the Prefecture of Ardeche
22.03.2018
Ardèche
Four fallow deer spread panic in the Prefecture of Ardeche
Wildlife

In Ardèche, four fallow deer came out of a private property in December 2017, and walked into an adjoining wood. The hunters wanted to kill them, but without permission, impossible. Never mind, they made the request to the Prefect, who granted their wish.

When questions arise regarding wild animals in our countryside, killing them is often the answer to which the authorities resort systematically. The federations of hunters, very small in the population, seem to have all the power, while it should be the opposite … Yet alternative solutions, expected by the population does exist, and there are many.

For the Prefecture of the Ardèche, the four fallow deer should not remain free in the wild as they would represent « a danger for the safety of everyone and to crops, by their movements and their need to feed ». The Prefect therefore ordered their slaughter by accredited specialist hunters, by issuing an order on February 27th 2018 to « destroy » them to avoid their « proliferation ».

But how do these four sentient beings cause problems? Are they dangerous? Sick? Did they attack anyone? No. Their existence itself would be a problem because they walk, eat and are free. That’s all.

However, these fallow deer are protected by their status as captive and tamed wild animals, and the Prefect must provide evidence of what he declares about the damage that fallow deer could cause.

Because in France, no legislation protects free wild animals that only aspire to live in peace with us. They can therefore be subject to « destruction » orders. But those kept captive and exploited by and for humans are entitled to a semblance of protection, and this was the case for these fallow deer.

We had filed an appeal to suspend urgently and cancel this order. The hearing took place on March 16th; the judge decided to maintain this order.

At the same time, we wrote to the Prefect proposing to take charge of the transfer of these animals to the Association for the Protection of Wildlife (APFS) in Sedan, a sanctuary partner who agreed to receive them permanently in his 14 hectare park.

Our era saw the sixth mass extinction of animals on the planet, our country is urbanizing more and more, and some animals that are still wild living in our territories are becoming increasingly threatened. That’s enough! Solutions other than the annihilation of all animals must be able to be heard and implemented.

« Lessons are taught in faraway countries on how to protect their elephants, and we are not able to protect our own fallow deer in our own country. »
– Muriel Arnal 

We make an appeal; we will do everything so that these four fallow deer can live!

The heart-breaking agony of the lion Cecil

The heart-breaking agony of the lion Cecil
17.03.2018
The heart-breaking agony of the lion Cecil
Wildlife

The lion Cecil would have endured terrible suffering for at least ten hours before succumbing to an eventual death. This is revealed in a recent survey. The atrocious death of this great charismatic beast, cowardly assassinated by Walter Palmer in 2015, makes us take into account the horror and sadistic pleasure of trophy hunting. One Voice denounces the cruelty of this practice.

More is now known about the murder of Cecil by the dentist Walter Palmer. Andrew Loveridge, the zoologist who had been studying this lion with his black-mane for eight years, had conducted a thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances of this tragedy in July 2015 in Zimbabwe. In his book Lion Hearted (Regan Arts, April 2018), which National Geographic has just published extracts, he reports on the established facts and testimonials that help unravel the truth from the false.

The truth about the events

At the time of the event, it had been reported in the media that Cecil had probably suffered for almost 40 hours. For Andrew Loveridge, this statement cannot be possible, because the thoracic injury caused by the first arrow was so severe that it would not have permitted this poor male lion to have survived for too long. In contrast, the specialist is conclusive: his friend this great wild beast had experienced a real ordeal, during that fateful night where a wealthy American took pleasure in massacring him.

An endless torture

The GPS data from Cecil’s collar, as well as the confession of Cornelius, one of the main protagonists in this tragedy, make it possible to assert that the animal suffered between ten and twelve hours after the firing of the initial arrow that evening. Failing to reach his vital organs, the tip of the arrow had mortally touched and disabled him. Unable to move more than 350 meters, the panting lion tried to fight against choking and struggled to breathe until morning. It was only at around 9 am that his assassins would have resolved to administer the coup de grace. Why did Palmer not finish it earlier? Obviously because this individual seems devoid of any sensitivity. And then, as among all trophy hunters, they like the corpses to be « clean ». The less arrows (or bullets) are fired the better, the less the skin is damaged … It has always been more chic when displayed in the living room and to boast of their « great achievement ».

Stop this relentlessness

And what an achievement! In the case of Cecil’s murder, it was proved that this handsome male lion, accustomed to humans, and therefore not shy, was deliberately lured by poachers out of the national park with an elephant carcass. To trap him in this way, by disregarding the regulations, and while he was feeding without suspicion, thus increasing their bravery …

They are unfortunately not the only ones to see such methods like this as the pinnacle of heroism. The « Walter Palmer’s » are widespread. As the emblem of Zimbabwe’s Hwange Park, Cecil was world famous. His death thus made headlines and would be denounced everywhere. But many of his fellow congeners, less famous, suffer the same fate each year and go out in silence. For a few bundles of dollars, wealthy lovers of blood and suffering arrange with quotas and laws to transform into morbid objects the last representatives of a declining people. Because yes, remember, now the fallen monarchs of the African savannah, the lions are on the verge of extinction. More than ever, One Voice is working with them. With us, say no to cruelty!