Where is the investigation into the death of a bear slaughtered in the Pyrenees

• The body of a bear shot dead was discovered Tuesday afternoon in Ariège.
• An investigation for "destruction of protected non-domestic species" was opened by the Foix prosecution and entrusted to the gendarmes.
• The young male bear has not yet been identified.
• He was in an area where the transhumance of herds began.

Forensic surveys, helicopter hoist, autopsy and "hearings". The investigation into the death of a "young male bear", found Tuesday in the Ariège "shot dead by firearm", began in Dantesque conditions unveiled this Wednesday morning by Chantal Mauchet, the prefect, and Laurent Dumaine, the public prosecutor of Foix.

The two went to the scene of the crime late Tuesday afternoon: the Gérac circus, in the town of Ustou, shortly after the animal was spotted by agents of the National Office of the Biodiversity (OFB) - more specifically by their dog - who came to make "predation reports" on a flock of sheep.

"At the foot of a very steep slope"

The animal lay "at the foot of a very steep slope", explains the representative of the State. A descent so vertical that, in the rain and in the fog, it was necessary to call upon a helicopter of the Platoon of gendarmerie of high mountain to hoist the corpse on a forest path nearby.

A bear was discovered today in Ariège, shot dead. The bear is a protected species, this act is illegal and deeply condemnable. The prefect went there. The state will file a complaint. pic.twitter.com/tlMPzmsvyf

Laurent Dumaine immediately opened an investigation "for destruction of protected non-domestic species" and entrusted it to the gendarmes of the Saint-Girons research brigade. The magistrate indicates that he requested an autopsy of the plantigrade at the National Veterinary School of Toulouse and that it was underway this Wednesday morning. In particular, it must determine the number of injuries to the animal and the date of its death.

So, what do we know about this exceptional event for the massif? The bear wore neither a chip nor a GPS collar. It has therefore not yet been identified. He weighs "between 150 and 200 kg", and would therefore be "a young male of about five years", according to Chantal Mauchet.

In addition, while the hearings are just beginning, we know that in this area of ​​Ariège transhumance and summer pastures have started and that several sheep have been killed there in recent days.

"This is a serious offense which deserves serious investigations," warns the public prosecutor, recalling that the facts are punishable "up to three years' imprisonment and a fine of 150,000 euros" .

An emotion with variable geometry

The event is extremely rare in the Pyrenees. There is only one precedent since the reintroduction of bears: the highly publicized death of the cinnamon bear killed by a hunter on November 1, 2004 during a hunt for wild boars.

The presence of the plantigrades creates strong tensions between the supporters of biodiversity and the pastoral environment. While the pro-bears have expressed their great emotion and their intention to file a complaint in the same way as the State, the representatives of the breeders appear voluntarily much less moved. "Our thoughts are first of all with the hundreds of sheep which were grazing peacefully and who were killed by this bear and its congeners," said in a press release the Association for the safeguard of the heritage of Ariège-Pyrénées (Aspap). They go to these breeders who will be temporarily spared the death of part of their herd which this bear has finished hurting. "

Planet

Ariège: A bear killed by bullets, the State will file a complaint

Planet

Pyrenees: But what could the Cachou bear have died of?

• Toulouse
• Justice
• Investigation
• Bear
• Planet