French Hunter Faces Trial for Killing Endangered Bear in Pyrenees

André Rives claims self-defense after the bear attacked him, but the incident raises legal and ecological concerns over conservation and hunting practices.

The trial of 81-year-old André Rives centers on the killing of Caramelles, a protected female brown bear, in November 2021 during a boar hunt.
Rives claims he acted in self-defense after the bear attacked him while defending her cubs, leaving him with serious leg injuries.
Investigators found the bear was killed 400 meters outside an authorized hunting area within a protected reserve, leading to charges of destroying a protected species.
The case has intensified tensions between conservationists, who argue the loss of a breeding female is critical, and hunters, who cite unclear reserve boundaries and self-defense.
If convicted, Rives could face up to seven years in prison, though a suspended sentence and fine are considered more likely.