Trial Begins for Hunter Accused of Killing Protected Bear in Pyrenean Reserve

André Rives faces charges of illegal hunting and destroying a protected species as evidence of tampering and self-defense claims complicate the case.

André Rives, 78, is on trial for killing Caramelles, a protected bear, during an illegal hunt in the Mont Valier Nature Reserve in 2021.
The bear attacked Rives, causing severe injuries, before he fatally shot it; the defense plans to argue self-defense despite the illegal nature of the hunt.
Investigators confirmed the hunting party was in a prohibited area and uncovered evidence of attempts to coordinate stories and conceal facts.
Nineteen environmental associations have joined the trial as civil parties, underscoring the broader conservation implications of the case.
Caramelles was part of a reintroduced bear population in the Pyrenees, symbolizing efforts to balance wildlife conservation with human activity.