Bears in France spark wild debate

Conservationists in the Pyrenees want to save wild bears, but sheep farmers say they attack their flocks

April 25, 2000
Web posted at: 3:30 PM EDT (1930 GMT)

From Reporter Denise Dillon

PYRENEES MOUNTAINS, France (CNN) -- In France there's a battle brewing over bears. Some people are fighting for the wild animals' survival, while others think they do more harm than good.

Conservationists first introduced bears into the Pyrenees four years ago, some from Slovenia. They are similar to those that used to be abundant in France's southwestern mountain range, before they were hunted nearly to extinction.

Bear supporters consider the animals a symbol of their regional heritage.

"For us, bears are part of our Pyrenean patrimony, so we must protect them like we protect other things; for example, churches," local mayor Francois Arcageli said.

Sheep farmers are not so sentimental, saying the bears attack their flocks. One farmer said bears have mutilated more than 30 of his animals.

"They eat my sheep," Gerald Pujol said.

	MESSAGE BOARD
Animal world
	VIDEO
CNN's Denise Dillon reports on the plight of the Pyreneese Mountain bears. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

Many farmers kept local Pyrenees dogs known as patous to protect their flocks when bears were common. Some farmers have revived the breed of large, white dogs because of the new threat.

Along with the dogs, farmers also have the help of deputies in the National Assembly. They voted earlier this month to take six bears, including three cubs born in the region, out of the Pyrenees for good.

But the battle isn't over. Environmentalists are distributing petitions trying to have the vote overturned.

Final plan afoot to reintroduce grizzly bears
March 15, 2000
Salmon shortage starving Canadian grizzlies
March 12, 2000
Hungry Canadian bears find death in the city
March 3, 2000
Grizzly bear 'troublemakers' get second chance at sanctuary
September 18, 1999

See related sites about NATURE

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.