A brown bear like those who live in the Pyrenees. Illustration - Ducan Usher - Solent News - Sipa

  • The pro-bear association Ferus says it has "serious clues" that acts of malice against bears are increasing in the Pyrenees.
  • She calls on hikers to report signs of poaching.
  • This operation "Vigie Ours" was relaunched in a tense context after the discovery of a bear killed by gunshot (s) in Ariège in June.

Digestive carrion intentionally disposed there, jars of crushed glass flavored honey, or, more evidently, jaw traps and capture cages. Here is the anthology quoted by the association pro-bear Ferus of the "traps" intended to harm the plantigrades that one can according to her find in the Pyrenees.

"We have serious clues which raise concerns that attempts to destroy the bear continue, and particularly in Ariège", explains the association which has just relaunched its "Vigie ours *" operation. She calls on the users of the mountain, summer hikers in the lead, to point out any clues that might suggest attempts to poach bears. “It is important for mountain users to be vigilant and on the lookout,” insists Sabine Matraire, the association's vice-president and bear coordinator.

A pot of poisoned honey found

The activist does not want to betray legal secrecy on the recent events which push Ferus to reactivate the operation. However, she confides that a pot of poisoned honey was indeed found on the heights of Ariège in January.

And for walkers who find really obvious signs of an intention to harm the bear, she advises to contact directly and immediately either the gendarmerie of the sector concerned or the departmental service of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) .

This incitement to protect bears, which Ferus also hopes will “dissuade” the enemies of the cause, comes in a tense context. On June 9, the body of a bear shot and killed was discovered in Ariège. The case is still ongoing.

*vigie@ferus.org or 06 46 62 19 47

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  • Toulouse
  • Poaching
  • Bear
  • Biodiversity
  • Pyrenees
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