Wildlife

Can badgers be removed if they are damaging property in France?

Their digging may lead to soil displacement and the weakening of drainage systems

Video: new bear cubs spotted in French Pyrénées

At least two litters recorded, but concerns over lack of genetic diversity remain

French village allows night-time shooting of wild boar

Mairie says the measure was the ‘only solution’

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France grants long-awaited protection to two threatened birds

Breaking the rules can be punished by up to three years in prison and a €150,000 fine

English-speaking community in southern France helps neighbours impacted by wildfires

Residents in the Pyrénées-Orientales lost their homes, pets, and personal belongings

Photo: wolf spotted near Saint-Tropez

Mairie warns residents to be cautious and confirms area is under surveillance

Forest fires spring up across France as dry weather persists

Several southern departments remain at heightened risk of blazes today

Should Asian hornet traps be installed towards the end of the summer?

How to respond if you find Asian hornets nearby

Two boa constrictors found on loose within three days in Haute-Garonne

One snake was found in a car engine when the driver opened the bonnet to change the battery

Forest fire with flames among trees and a social media post overlay showing a fox illustration.

Association saves domestic and wild animals from wildfires in France

Deer and cats are the most affected by fires in Gironde says charity

‘It could have been us. It gives you faith in humanity’: Volunteer describes the solidarity behind Gironde wildfire response

Thousands of volunteers have come together to support displaced families

Wildfires and heatwaves take a severe toll on French wildlife: how you can help

‘Simply putting out fresh water can already make a big difference for wildlife’

France to renew list of animals classed as 'susceptible to cause damage': see which species are included

The new three-year classification would allow certain species to be trapped or shot outside the hunting season

Heatwave in France: alerts expand and no let-up for at least a week

72 departments under orange alert, wildfire danger increases, July 14 celebrations affected

Early wildfires break out across France

Several forest fires have already burned hectares of vegetation in multiple regions and mobilised significant numbers of firefighters

Car that caused Marseille wildfire did not have valid roadworthiness test

Flames from engine led to devastating fire - but car should not have been on road

Photo: Connexion reader spots rare blue frog in her garden in France

This condition is estimated to impact one in 10,000 frogs

French nature festival is a paradise for bird watchers

The spring event runs from April 12-20, showcasing the rich flora and fauna of the Baie de Somme

Two images: night-vision camera shot of an otter and close-up of a European otter

VIDEO: First otter for nearly a century captured on Normandy camera

The sighting astounded researchers as ecological management encourages a resurgence of otter numbers in several French regions

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

A view of a squirrel with its mouth open, appearing shocked or yawning

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’

A person holding a peregrine falcon on their thick falconry glove

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

Meet the beekeeping couple with 450 hives in their corner of France

'We turned our honey hobby into a full-time profession and have not looked back'

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

A yellow Bombardier plane dropping water over a forest fire near Bordeaux, France

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

Wildcat spotted roaming through gardens near a major French city

Firefighters captured the Serval and took it to a local zoo

Wildfires: French law may require you to cut back at-risk vegetation

In southern regions of France, residents whose property is within 200m of woodland must prune or clear plants which could enable a fire to spread

Gardeners in France told to stop cutting hedges in bird nesting season

Bird experts share the best time to trim hedging in the north and south of France

Legendary Corsican ‘fox-cat’ to be listed as a new species

The Corsican wildcat known as the ghjattu-volpe (fox-cat), is bigger than a domestic cat with distinct markings

The turtle hospital rescuing Loggerheads injured on French shores

France’s Mediterranean beaches may become future breeding grounds for sea turtles but they are at risk of injury - from humans

The genet - a rarely seen carnivore is at home in French woodland

Nature expert, Jonathan Kemp, on his chance encounters with a nocturnal hunter

Do not destroy Asian hornet nests - new advice from French experts

Research shows birds feast on the grubs inside during winter when food is scarce

Eagles put on memorable display in France

Jonathan Kemp enjoys a splendid – and tender – display of avian acrobatics

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

A photo of a wildfire in a forest with destroyed vegetation

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

A photo of a firefighter spraying water on a wild forest fire

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

A photo of a firefighter spraying a water hose over a forest fire

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

A photo of a Canadair water bomber with Sécurité Civile written on the side, dropping water over a wildfire

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’

A photo of a young European deer in the countryside

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

A photo of a close-up of a wildfire in a forest

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

A view of the sea to the surface of the water from the seabed in the Mediterranean

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

Two French firefighters pompiers help to put out a forest fire

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