Wildlife

Tortoise thought to be extinct in French Pyrenees rediscovered by walkers

The species is one of the most endangered reptiles in Europe

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

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’

news

Normandy first French region to stop funding wild animal shows

The move is part of a wider trend away from wild animal use

Call for action over bears in France after hiker killed in Slovakia

Local authorities say we ‘cannot wait until someone dies’ in France to bring in changes

Otters make a comeback in France - how you can help them thrive

The recolonisation project is slowly working but the population remains fragile

How to build a snake hotel in your French garden as population falls

Jonathan Kemp makes snakes welcome in his garden in spite of his phobia

French wildlife charity to turn hunting enclosure into nature reserve

The deer and wild boar were bred to be shot by hunters but will now live out their days on the property

Associations seek end to marmot hunting in France

Six environmental groups have taken the issue to court, saying that the marmot is ‘no longer used for eating, for its fat, or its fur’. A decision is expected imminently

Lynx spotting adventure gives hope to reintroduction scheme in France

The dazzling spectacle of a prowling Iberian lynx is thanks to one of Europe’s most successful conservation programmes

How can France fight invasive species like Asian hornets?

All problem species numbers have grown despite a 2017 eradication plan and some surprising inventions

What resources does France have to fight forest fires?

Helicopters, planes, specialist personnel, forecasts: we look at what France has in its arsenal to tackle wildfires

France: Conservationists clash with hunters

Conservationists are calling on people to oppose a new list of animals that have been labelled pests

Raising awareness of tourism dangers for cuddly French Alpine marmots

The main message is do not feed them as it interferes with their natural development

‘The first baby hedgehog we rescued was love-at-first-sight’

We speak to an expert about her hedgehog health centre and how to make your garden more hedgehog-friendly

Largest nature photography festival in Europe celebrates 25 years

The annual Montier Photo Festival, outside Troyes, was started by a ‘bunch of mates’ – this year 2,500 images of the natural world are on display

12-year project to rewild French river a success

Local authorities aimed to return the site in southern France to its natural state to mitigate the effects of climate change

Fire-stricken French forest clearing and regeneration plans begin

Forest experts are working to clear and replant the thousands of hectares of La Teste-de-Buch forest that were destroyed in the Gironde wildfires over the summer

Look out, ducks! France’s giant catfish are decimating the population

This invasive species may be harmless to humans but poses a real threat to local waterfowl, our reader warns

Marmots at risk from rising temperatures in France

Researchers have noticed a fall in reproduction among marmots – also known as groundhogs – in the Pyrenees

48 people arrested this summer accused of starting wildfires in France

Suspects are from ‘varied backgrounds’; most are men, and some have mental health issues. Summer 2022 saw a record number of hectares destroyed

Wildfires: New Charente blaze draws suspicion as Gironde fire settles

Connexion reporter Brian McCulloch reports concerns about a serial arsonist in the Charente as a new blaze destroys hundreds of hectares of forest

Snakes, wader birds and the wrath of hunters in French countryside

Wildlife spotter Jonathan Kemp shares stories of reptiles, raptors and four flat tyres

Fears the Giant American bullfrog will damage native French wildlife

‘They eat anything, have no natural predator in France and are spreading’ says amphibian expert

Arson suspected in Dordogne after four wildfires started in one day

The fires destroyed 20 hectares and required more than 100 firefighters to bring them under control. Several residents had to leave their homes

Suspect arrested in connection with Alpilles wildfire in south France

The man in his 30s has now been transferred to a psychiatric hospital. The fire destroyed 117 hectares in Bouches-du-Rhône but is now under control

600 firefighters battling to contain new wildfire in south of France

The Bouches-du-Rhône blaze is not yet under control but no homes are thought to be at risk

‘Monster’ cannibal fish in French rivers, but no threat to humans

The huge catfish called ‘silures’ can grow to 2m long - scientists want more studies on this edible, prehistoric throwback

Nature watch in France: identify doves and how to help injured birds

Wildlife spotter Jonathan Kemp shares his bird watching skills and how he helped a Nightjar in distress

Beaver spotted in Loire-Atlantique for first time since 16th century

Previously killed for medicine and perfume, the beaver population is recovering from near extinction in France

France’s wildfires rage on as minister warns of more to come

The interior minister has said that fires could continue to flare up for a further six weeks. Reinforcements arrive today from around Europe

Gironde fire update: 10,000 people evacuated, blaze still spreading

One resident said she had had to cram ‘40 years of life’ into the boot of her car in 30 minutes as she hurried to escape

Homes destroyed as south-west France wildfire reignites overnight

The fire near Landiras (Gironde) is spreading rapidly. The A63 motorway is being closed due to the smoke. Firefighters say they face a day of ‘high risk’

3,000 people evacuated as wildfire spreads in southern France

The Aveyron fire has not caused any injuries. Hundreds of firefighters are at the scene to tackle the blaze this morning

MAP: How to see where wildfires are in France in real time

With several blazes currently active around the country, we look at how you can track the fires

Brittany, Dordogne, Isère: evacuations as new wildfires hit France

Arson is suspected in some instances with one mayor saying: ‘We seem to be witnessing a challenge over who can create the biggest fire; it’s worrying’

Deer will not be hunted near wildfire-stricken La Teste-de-Buch

Hundreds of deer were killed in the huge forest fires in July, which also required the evacuation of zoo animals

Nine firefighters injured tackling new wildfire in south of France

The blaze in Gard is now under control ‘after a long fight’ overnight, firefighters have said, but the area is still on ‘extreme alert’

Blue shark spotted off south of France coast found dead today

The female shark had been sighted around Hyères and its behaviour was causing concern over its wellbeing

Arson suspected in two wildfires in southern France

Separate fires in Ardèche and Hérault are now the subject of criminal investigation (although there is no suggestion that they are linked)

Explainer: France’s obligatory anti-wildfire garden clearing rules

Who has to carry out débroussaillage, when and how much has to be cut back?

New wildfire in south of France: 800 hectares burnt, arson suspected

The Hérault fire is not yet under control but it is no longer progressing, say authorities. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated

Worries over fish and ecosystem as Mediterranean sea set to reach 30C

Flora and fauna could be harmed long-term as heatwaves increase in frequency and intensity, even as temperatures drop across the country over the next few days

Trapped, injured or fleeing: the animals caught in France’s wildfires

While 1,000 animals were being moved from a Gironde zoo, a vet was visiting local communes to feed the pets of evacuated residents

French wildfires: situation stabilising but evacuees cannot return

The Gironde prefecture has said that the fires are now judged to be ‘contained’ but that not all the safety requirements have been met to allow people to return

Wildfires to become daily reality in France by 2023, warns fire chief

The prediction comes as tens of thousands of hectares continue to burn across the country, prompting calls for more government funding and prevention measures

Brittany wildfire started by local burning garden waste against rules

The fire threatened the historic Forêt de Paimpont but has been stopped. A larger Brittany wildfire - in the Monts d’Arrée mountains - is now also under control

People in Ile-de-France can smell smoke of Gironde fires 500kms away

Firefighters in the capital have urged residents not to worry unduly. Gironde’s prefect says that the department is today ‘starting to see results’ from effective new firewalls

France wildfires rage on: 20,000 hectares burnt, one arrest made

Investigators believe that the fire in Landiras may have been started deliberately. In all, 37,000 people and 1,000 zoo animals have been evacuated

Are there more wasps in France this year? Yes, says expert

Entomologist warns though that very hot weather can cause them to disappear and threaten the important role they play in biodiversity

Wildfires in France: Why is it so difficult to get them under control?

The two fires which are currently raging across Gironde are being fed by high heat, wind and dry vegetation, and difficult terrain is complicating firefighters

South-west France giant wildfires still spreading, situation worsens

Nearly 13,000 hectares have been destroyed and over 16,000 people evacuated

French wildfires continue: 7,000 hectares burnt, buildings damaged

The fires continue to burn in Gironde, but another fire which destroyed 300 hectares in south-east France has now been contained

More people evacuated as south-west France wildfires rage on

One fire has been ‘stabilised’ but not ‘controlled’. Today’s high temperatures of up to 40C and wind will make it difficult to continue tackling the flames

French communes cancel July 14 firework displays due to wildfire risk

Several places in Bouches-du-Rhône and Gard are affected by cancellations as a heatwave hits the southwest of the country

Much of south-west France on heightened heatwave alert

Maximum temperatures of 39C are expected today. Around 6,500 people – including local residents – have been evacuated as wildfires continue in the area

70 evacuated, 620 hectares destroyed in new south of France wildfire

The blaze in the Gard department threatens to continue for several days despite almost 700 firefighters attending the scene

Almost 1,000 hectares destroyed in wildfire in southern France

The blaze is still ongoing although now less dangerous. Authorities say it is too early to tell if it was started deliberately

Hidden cameras and DNA from fur confirm wildcats return in the Tarn

But Nature en Occitanie calls for domestic cat owners to sterilise their pets before interbreeding threatens the new wildcat population

French hunters and hikers unite to save rural footpaths for wildlife

The unlikely alliance have seen a drop in biodiversity where countryside paths have been destroyed or forgotten - they explain why

Nature watch: rescue vulture released in France, brown bear too ‘tame’

Wildlife spotter, Jonathan Kemp, shares the nature around his home in Aude and a disturbing encounter with a young brown bear

Efforts underway to guide Orca whale in Seine river to sea using sound

Experts have concluded that the whale is ‘extremely weak and its chances of survival are particularly low’

Enjoy wildlife spotting in your French garden as spring becomes summer

Nature spotter, Jonathan Kemp, slows down to appreciate the nesting, hatching and feeding this time of year near his Aude home

Brown bear numbers growing in French Pyrenees after reintroduction

Record numbers of cubs were born last year thanks to a state-backed repopulation project, but illegal hunting and claims of broken promises from the French government are a threat

Wildlife experts have spotted golden jackals for first time in France

While jackals do not venture into towns, farmers are warned to protect small or newborn livestock - we describe how to identify one of France’s newest species

Video: Wild wolf spotted in Brittany for first time in 109 years

The predators returned to France in the early 1990s and have slowly been spreading out around the country

Endangered vultures have laid eggs for the first time in French Alps

Bearded vultures were reintroduced to the area in 2013 after they all but died out in the early 1900s. Then, it was popular for hunting parties to shoot up to 40 of them in a day

Hunters use bows and arrows to cull boar in southwest France

The method is often used to hunt boar when the population is judged to be getting too large and dangerous for nearby homes, but the practice is controversial

French wildlife body decries hunting season’s bird of prey ‘massacre’

Around 87% of the birds of prey which are treated for gunshot injuries arrive in shelters during the hunting season, says the Ligue de protection des oiseaux

Update: Pas-de-Calais puma can be caught, say French wildlife groups

Wildlife experts have criticised the way in which authorities have attempted to capture the animal and offered their assistance to the search operation

Escaped parakeets in France lead to flock of 8,000

A flock of around 50 birds, destined for pet shops, escaped from a Paris airport in the 1970s and a similar escape happened in 1994. The two have interbred

Roaming cows in Corsica linked to fraudulent EU farm grant claims

The increase of an EU agricultural grant between 2014 - 2019 could be the reason behind reports of cows, left to roam by owners, disrupting island life and scaring tourists

New map shows South and Corsica are untamed, wildest parts of France

Researchers have pinpointed areas of unspoiled nature on the first map of its kind for France, which could help protect biodiversity for years to come

French army ordered to stop killing wild Paris rabbits

The rabbits live on the Esplanade des Invalides, directly in front of the museum of French military history

Almost 900 hectares destroyed in huge wildfire in south France

The blaze is still not yet completely under control, with firefighters still on-site. A fire colonel suspects that the blaze was caused by a driver throwing a cigarette butt out of a car window