French Hunters Call for Lynx Control

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French Hunters Call for Lynx Control

CAT NEWS
Issue 13, Autumn 1990

Hunters in the French Jura mountains have called for control of lynx, whose predation on sheep has become a major political problem. The confrontations between officials and conservationists opposed by sheep owners and hunters included large noisy demonstrations last year, when 426 sheep were killed, mostly attributed to lynx. According to lynx specialists, 40% of the attacks were in three communes (local administrative districts) with an area of only 5,000 ha, which is less than one per cent of the area colonised by lynx in the Jura.

The affected area is in the Department (Province) of Ain, where the lynx are thought to be the progeny of animals reintroduced in Switzerland. Three young lynx have been trapped and removed from the scene.

The French authorities attribute the high number of killings to lynx specialising in sheep, but note that the phenomenon is unusual and the reasons for its occurrence are not known. Compensation is paid for losses, and measures, such as protective and toxic collars, have been made available.

The Hunters' Association has circulated a leaflet explaining why they want lynx controlled. The following is a summary:

The area affected includes 58 farms, whose only possible activity is sheep raising. When sheep are found dead, the carcases are examined by an official veterinarian. In 1989 compensation was paid for loss of 305 sheep killed by lynx, and there were 41 doubtful cases. But the association complains that the system does not cover animals that have disappeared, said to number 83, nor take account of indirect losses through lowering of fecundity, stress etc.

Protective collars are a serious inconvenience in sheep breeding, and, moreover, do not deter lynx. The result is that sheep are eaten alive because the lynx cannot kill them immediately. Protection of flocks by trained dogs "seems completely illusory".

"The only solution lies in controlling the lynx population."

The hunters complain that lynx are having a heavy impact on roe deer Capreolus capreolus and chamois Rupicapra rupicapra. They claim that roe deer in certain areas had been reduced by 50%, and that stress occasioned by the presence of lynx has had an effect on reproduction and health. While well-established chamois populations had survived "despite considerable damage", areas being colonised are completely deserted.

The hunters insist on a hearing because they number 10,000 in the area involved and say they established, developed and protected the game population. They pay compensation for any damage it causes, and the official National Hunting Office is supported by hunters' dues.

In support of lynx control, the hunters say that a natural lynx population has become established in the area. but geographical circumstances favour a higher lynx density than normal.

"It is therefore clear that there must be control. This must be carried out in a flexible manner. The principal of control must be officially accepted. Trapping must be carried out over the whole area concerned and not just in some communes, both for domestic species and for wild species. If control authorisations are always reserved for agents paid by hunters, there must be a quid pro quo for the provision made.

"The sheep breeders must receive fair compensation, through official procedure and public funds, so that the extortion practised by some is stopped. More generally, the principal of control of all problem species, whatever their juridical status, must be accepted. It is in this way, and only in this way, that a balance can be found between the interests of all the parties."

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