French Hunter on Trial for Allegedly Killing Endangered Brown Bear in Pyrenees

An 81-year-old French hunter is facing trial after allegedly shooting and killing a protected female brown bear in the Pyrenees, sparking outrage among wildlife advocates. According to The Guardian, André Rives was boar hunting when he was attacked by a mother bear, nicknamed Caramelles, who had emerged with her two cubs.

The bear reportedly dragged Rives several metres before he fired his rifle in what he claimed was an act of self-defense. Rives suffered injuries to both legs and was airlifted out of the area. However, authorities say the incident occurred 400 meters outside a designated hunting zone, a violation that puts Rives on trial for destroying a protected species.

The case has divided opinion in the Ariège region, where hunters have rallied in Support of Rives. Activists argue that his actions contributed to the death of a vital breeding female in an already fragile population. “To what extent can one argue necessity,” asked Alain Reynes of Pays de l’Ours, “when one has committed a series of offences that led to the death of the bear?”

Brown bears had nearly vanished from the Pyrenees until reintroduction efforts in the 1990s brought them back from the brink, with over 80 now estimated in the region. Their presence remains controversial due to conflicts with livestock farming, but conservationists stress the importance of coexisting with these keystone species.

Photos presented in court showed the reserve’s boundaries were poorly marked, but prosecutors insist hunters must know where they’re operating. The trial continues, with the outcome likely to shape future protections for the Pyrenees’ wildlife.

If we truly value life on this planet, we must protect species like Caramelles. Hunting laws exist for a reason—and the line between “self-defense” and environmental damage can’t keep being blurred. Let’s choose coexistence, not cruelty. Support sanctuaries, oppose trophy hunting, and keep wild spaces truly wild.

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