Trial Begins for Hunters Charged in Killing of Protected Bear in Pyrenees

André Rives claims self-defense after being attacked by the bear, but prosecutors argue the hunters were illegally in a restricted area.

The trial of André Rives and 15 other hunters for the 2021 killing of Caramelles, a protected bear, began on March 18, 2025, in Foix, Ariège.
Rives, who was seriously injured during the encounter, claims he acted in self-defense after the bear attacked him during a wild boar hunt.
Investigations revealed that the hunters were 400 meters outside the authorized hunting zone within a protected reserve where hunting is prohibited.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with 19 environmental associations joining as civil parties to advocate for stricter enforcement of conservation laws.
The trial highlights broader tensions between traditional hunting practices and efforts to protect endangered species in the Pyrenees, where bear populations remain critically vulnerable.