An 81-year-old French hunter was sentenced to four months suspended jail time for killing an endangered bear in self-defense during a hunting incident in 2021. The hunter was attacked by a brown bear while in the Mont Valier nature reserve, and he claimed he acted out of necessity. The court also imposed fines on other hunters involved and mandated collective payments to environmental groups. The case raised significant controversy among environmental advocates and highlighted the tension between hunting practices and wildlife protection regulations.
According to the investigation, the bear nicknamed Caramelles was killed 400 metres outside an authorised hunting area. The situation was classified as a fight for survival.
During the March trial in Foix, the defence lawyer stated that the hunter killed the bear because he had no other option, emphasizing the necessity of self-defense.
The defendant recalled the incident saying, 'When the cubs emerged, I looked at them with admiration... Our eyes met, she charged. I panicked and fired a shot.'
The court handed down a four-month suspended jail sentence to the defendant, along with fines for 15 other hunters involved and a collective payment of over 60,000 euros.
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