Animals

Interview: 'It’s time animal welfare became a political issue in France'

SPA president Jacques-Charles Fombonne talks about abandoned dogs, the economic realities of keeping a pet and why he is on a mission to influence policy-makers

Bees protected from Asian hornet attacks by award-winning French device

Frédérique Ripet has won a top business award for creating a device that protects hives from deadly attacks

South of France sea life park to close: what will happen to animals?

Ban on live whale and dolphin shows was ‘fatal blow’ for park’s finances

practical

Early detection crucial, says expert, as invasive ants plague French homes

We cover tips on how to minimise the risk of pests in your home throughout the year

MAP: Wolves have returned to most French departments

Gironde is the latest department to confirm the presence of the animal after a century of absence

Electric ants spotted in south of France for second time

Fears of a large colony in the Var department and beyond, as aggressive animals threaten pets and local biodiversity

France's first national park is an outdoor haven

Discover the breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity of Parc National de la Vanoise, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region

Associations campaign to stop culling of 500 chamois in France

Animal activists have condemned what they see as ‘slaughter’, but hunters have denied this

Tiger mosquitoes are still biting in France in November - wlll it end soon?

The insect can spread disease and is found in many areas of the country

Brittany steps up fight against rising numbers of wild boar

Global warming is enabling the boar to proliferate which brings higher risks to roads, trains, farms, and private residents

Dog thefts on rise in France: what breeds are being targeted and where

More than 20,000 dogs were reported as lost nationwide in 2023

Confirmed: animal spotted in Gironde, south-west France, is a wolf

The prefect is now organising a ‘surveillance cell’ to decide on the next steps and protect farmer livestock

Call for safer pet travel measures at French borders

Animal advocates push for enhanced security at ports and Eurotunnel to prevent animals escaping during microchip checks

‘Humpback whale’ spotted in Seine river

Animal is often seen on French coast but rarely travels inland

Expert casts doubt on claims bites from French 'violin' spider killed two

'No deaths from a spider bite' have ever been recorded in France

Tortoise thought to be extinct in French Pyrenees rediscovered by walkers

The species is one of the most endangered reptiles in Europe

Pet care to be part of France’s school curriculum from September 2024

The new programme will aim to teach respect and compassion for pets, in a bid to fight animal mistreatment

Six French expressions around cats to use in everyday conversations

A bon chat bon rat, avoir un chat dans la gorge - how many of these do you know?

French communes share studies of local flora and fauna with residents

Town in Brittany is the latest to publish its communal biodiversity atlas

Snake bites sleeping tourist in Pau after sliding into his T-shirt

The man was taking a nap outside in grass in the Aspe Valley. It is thought he may have moved and scared the snake, which was probably seeking shade

Normandy beaches evacuated after shark spotted near coast

It was seen on Saturday and Sunday in Manche department

‘Terrifying’: Vulture attacks woman during falconry show in Lot, France

The bird swooped on the victim, leaving her with leg injuries

Two hikers bitten by sheep protection dogs in mountains near Grenoble

The pair were transported to hospital after receiving bites on their legs

Bat in France found to have rabies: advice to protect yourself

Animals can pass the virus to humans and it can be fatal

Invasive 'smelly' ants spark concern across France

As well as a nasty bite, tapinoma ants cause damage to crops, homes and utilities, and when squished smell like rancid butter

Which are the most dangerous animals in France and where are they?

Hornets, ticks, snakes, fish…and sharks? Move over Australia, France has danger too…

Hikers have chance to spot Egyptian vultures in southern France

Three vulture couples have been spotted in southern France, offering a unique observation opportunity before their migration

Helicopter rescues hiker in Alps after ‘patou’ dogs attack

The woman was rescued after calling the police and taking refuge in a tree

Spot dolphins and whales on cross Channel UK-France ferry

Passengers are invited to access the ferry decks and record observations on a special app

No sharks…but a crocodile, snake and piranha: animals found in Seine

The Paris mayor has kept her pledge to swim in the river ahead of the Olympics…but we look at some of the exotic creatures that have been found in its waters in recent years

‘Traumatised’: Patou dogs attack puppy and owner in car park in Alps

‘My dog was on a lead,’ says the man. The farmer who owns the two Patous says the guard dogs may have been overwhelmed by the soaring numbers of visiting tourists

Wild animals on French roads: does insurance cover you for accidents?

Find out what to do and where to turn to for help, dependent on your policy

Are sandflies a problem in France, and is my dog at risk?

Bites from these insects may cause a potentially lethal disease

Jogger attacked by wolves in French zoo’s safari zone: what is known?

The woman, 37, is said to be in a severe but-stable condition in hospital. It is not clear why she was in the car-only area

Snakes in France: what kinds are there, where and what to do if bitten

'People's first reaction when they see a snake is to kill it – which is illegal'

Are pets allowed when renting a flat in France?

There are rules which relate mainly to the type of pet

RANKED: France's 10 most dog-friendly towns and cities

Criteria used include number of dog parks, dog-friendly public transport policies, and help for vulnerable owners and animals

VIDEO: Driver films three lynx by side of French road

The video also raises awareness of the real risk of traffic collisions to the endangered animals

France first-hand: We fostered a 'blind dogs' puppy

Nicole Marty talks about a rewarding time for her and partner Gérard with a guide dog in-training

Plan for sanctuary for old circus lions and tigers in south-west France

The €2.5m centre will welcome its first retired circus lions in June

Snoopy the hospital dog is a hit with patients and staff in Paris

An English setter rescue dog at one of the world’s top cancer hospitals in Paris has been described as “a bubble of oxygen”

Stray dogs to be shot after sheep attacks in southern France

But animal welfare campaigners say the dogs should be taken to shelters instead

Eagle attacks and injures paraglider mid-flight in Savoie, east France

The attack, which lasted for 13 minutes, left the man in need of stitches and surgery

Meet France's great garden acrobat

With its bright yellow and blue plumage, the Eurasian blue tit is easy to spot in the garden.

What is France’s new national plan to fight against Asian hornets?

The hornets represent a triple threat: to the beekeeping industry, to the environment and to public health, said the French minister for biodiversity

Dog-walks, airport scam, tax season: 5 French practical updates

Our round-up of recent articles you may have missed

Act now to limit tiger mosquitoes at French home this summer

The insects are now in all regions of France

Why wild animals in France may appear drunk at the moment

‘They can stagger a bit and have a desire to play, run, gallop and jump’

French town overrun by rabbits puts up posters of… rabbit stew recipe

The recipe is being shown on digital billboards after residents began complaining of burgeoning bunnies

Marineland in south of France again criticised over new whale death

An animal welfare association has filed a legal complaint but the park denies it keeps orcas in poor conditions

Petit lapin, coup du lapin: 6 commonly used French rabbit expressions

A potential new penalty for missing a doctor’s appointment has also been nicknamed la taxe lapin - we explain why

What are the rules for owning a goat in France?

Goats are sociable and energetic animals that can help keep your grass tidy

VIDEO: Hunters say they caught (and released) golden jackal in France

They are ‘90% sure’ the animal was a jackal, and are now waiting for DNA test results

Work to protect birds from dangers of French ski resorts is a success

Simple actions like attaching brightly coloured discs to electricity wires and ski lift cables is helping to prevent accidents

Adopt a goat scheme in France looks for landowners to save animals

Around 1,000 goats have been saved from the abattoir in five years

SEE: How French dog stole the show at the Oscars

Messi, from Anatomy of a Fall , was one of the biggest hits of the star studded night

Mystery around deaths of pigeons in Dordogne village

Autopsy points to stomach inflammation caused by an infection; tests have ruled out bird flu or poisoning

How do I bring my pet into France from the US?

There are strict rules which must be followed

Mystery of 130 dead seabirds found on France’s Atlantic beaches

A lack of fish, climate change and accidental capture has been cited as possible reasons

Unmuzzled dog on train in France sparks complaint

A former MP complained about the Golden Retriever on social media, saying a ticket inspector and other passengers failed to tackle the owner

Processionary caterpillars in French forest blamed for sick dogs

A woman who walked her pets in a tree-covered area had to rush them to the vet

Starling ‘invasion’ wreaks havoc on French city

Thousands of the birds have set up camp on roofs, leading to piles of mess, excessive noise and a bad smell. Children’s play areas have been closed

Why France's national symbol - the Gallic cockerel - is under threat

How the ‘coq gaulois’ became the nation’s emblem and what is being done to save it

New war monument in Paris honours animals that died in service

The project was inspired by similar artworks in London

What to do if you cross a boar while out walking in France?

The animals can be aggressive but generally only if they feel threatened

Find my lost dogs and I will give you my car, pleads Frenchman

Dog owner will reward anyone who brings back his missing animals with a Peugeot 107, worth around €3,400

‘Hyper-aggressive' seabirds force Marseille to take action

Some say the gulls ‘represent the city’ but authorities now have permission to act to reduce their number

Cockerel in French village must leave as it crows too loudly

‘He’s just doing his job as a rooster!’ claims the bird’s owner but neighbours say they cannot sleep

Cat compensation case is 'turning point' for animal rights in France

The sum due - €100 - is mainly symbolic but has been welcomed by animal-rights defenders

VIDEO: French mayor frees fox whose head was stuck in pipe

The mayor came across the animal during a visit to the city’s old fortifications

Migratory birds you may see overhead or stopping off in France

Large, small, white, black or brightly-coloured - here are six species of birds you may spot as they make their journeys

France bans nitrates for pet food but only reduces them for people

How a pack of food for President Macron’s dog highlighted a curious discrepancy between pet and human food - and the latter’s links to colon cancer

French Palaeolithic cave art shows deep human connection with animals

Nature watcher Jonathan Kemp goes underground to marvel at the bison, deer and aurochs drawn 14,000 years ago

VIDEO: new film released of bear and cubs in Pyrenees before winter

The shots were collected in September and November and are part of analyses into the state of the bear population

Bat invasion and buying at auction: French property news and updates

Our pick of recent property articles that you might have missed