“If this continues, the future of the wolf is threatened in the medium and long term,” fears France Nature Environnement

France Nature Environnement is concerned about the preservation of the wolf in France. The association denounces poaching and poisoning.

“If things continue as they are today, the future of the wolf is threatened in the medium and long term”fears Roger Mathieu, co-referent of the “wolf group” of France Nature Environnement Auvergne-Rhônes-Alpes on France Inter Wednesday July 24. “The indicators turn red”particularly because of the probable increase in poaching and poisoning of wolves, warns FNE Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on France Bleu Drôme Ardèche.

Wolves are in danger in the Alps, the Pre-Alps, the Drôme, the Provençal massifs, according to the organization which monitored 36 packs during the year 2023. The federation of nature protection associations notes that acts of poaching against wolves seem to be “to trivialize” And “get organized”denounced France Nature Environnement in a press release on Tuesday. It is based on the report of an independent group, which follows certain packs using automatic cameras. Because of the illegal acts, the species could be in danger in the short term.

“While the wolf is a great traveler, It has been passing through the Rhone Valley for a very long time, and it has not managed to settle in there. It is probably systematically pulled by defensive fire and probably by a significant increase in illegal destructions”describes Roger Mathieu, co-referent of the “wolf group” of France Nature Environnement Auvergne-Rhônes-Alpes.

The report from the PP Alpes Wolf group, made up of experts on the subject of wolves, points out that one in ten packs observed was the victim of an act of poaching. “almost certain”Wolves have been seen with their front paws cut off, a sign of “pallet trap”another amputated of a hind leg. A she-wolf also carried “a severed collar that encircles his neck”describes France Bleu Drôme Ardèche.

According to a scientific estimate based on what happens in foreign countries (United States, Portugal) and on the average survival rate, poaching could even be responsible for 15 to 20% of the wolves that die in the country.

Wolf poisonings are also common: “In 2023, a wolf was poisoned in Crupies, in the Drôme, we were forced to bring in a brigade from Spain”reports Roger Mathieu. The trial of the alleged poisoners will take place next fall, recalls France Bleu Drôme Ardèche. According to the federation, the investigative resources of the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) must be increased and a brigade (dog + dog handler) must be set up, capable of detecting poisonings.

Legal shootings also endanger wolves, according to FNE. “Since 2018, the quota for legal wolf shootings has been increased by 400%. This year, in 2024, we will be able to shoot 209 wolves in Franceanalyzes Roger Mathieu. In 2023, there was a significant decline in wolf productivity.” According to FNE, “Contrary to what some say, no, the number of wolves is not increasing, it is quite the opposite”explains Roger Mathieu from Drôme.

In 2024, for the first time since the 1990s, when the wolf naturally returned to France, the animal’s existence in France is under threat. “If the public authorities make decisions by reducing legal shootings and increasing the OFB’s resources, the wolf will be able to survive. If things continue as they are today, the future of the wolf is threatened in the medium and long term.”fears Roger Mathieu.