The Pyrenees mountains in France became the center of a controversial hunting incident when an 81-year-old hunter was sentenced for killing a protected brown bear named Caramelles. The court hit him with a four-month suspended sentence and a €750 fine after he claimed self-defense, stating the bear attacked him during a boar hunt in 2021.

During the hunt, the hunter and his group encountered bear cubs, which led to the mother bear charging at him. He recounted being dragged and bitten, leading to him firing his rifle in defense. Despite this, prosecutors noted that the hunters were outside an authorized area.

The case took a broader stance, with 15 other hunters also fined a total of over €60,000 to environmental associations. Caramelles has since been preserved and is displayed in the Toulouse Natural History Museum, raising awareness about the endangered bear population.

Environmental advocates celebrated the court's decision, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness within hunting communities. Once critically endangered, brown bear populations in the region are slowly recovering, underlining the delicate balance between hunting practices and wildlife conservation.