Ecology Minister Nelly Olin said she was "outraged" by the discovery while the governor of the Hautes-Pyrenees department has filed for legal action against the unidentified activists.
Two bears — named Franska and Palouma — were released in the Pyrenees late last month, with three more due to be introduced by the summer.
Opponents have mounted a sometimes violent campaign against their release, claiming the bears — which will join 18 already roving the region — will pose a serious threat to hikers, shepherds and livestock.
Supporters of the bears say they will attract tourists and cause only minimal damage to livestock.
Further releases have been suspended pending a court ruling on an attempt by regional farmers' unions to block the campaign.
The only indigenous Pyreneean bears left are all males, after a hunter shot the last remaining female, prompting a government pledge to double the local bear population over the next three years.
Slovenia signed an agreement with France last September to send five bears — three females and two males — to the Pyrenees between April and August.
Name: Brown Bear (
Ursus arctos)
Primary Classification: Ursida (Bears)
Location: Mainly Canada, Alaska and Russia. Also Europe, Syria, northern India, the continental United States and other countries.
Habitat: A variety of habitats, preferring open areas such as tundra, alpine meadows and coastlines.
Diet: Mainly vegetation, including grasses, roots, moss, bulbs and tubers. Also insects, fungus, small mammals, salmon and carrion.
Size: Averages 5 to 9 ft from head to rump and 200 to 1,700 lbs in weight.
Description: Dense, dark brown fur; small, amber-colored eyes; broad, black nose; small, round ears; shoulder hump; long, curved, nonretractable claws.
Cool Facts: It has some of the largest olfactory membranes in the animal kingdom, allowing it to detect scents from over a mile away. It uses its claws to dig for roots and tubers, excavate small mammals from their burrows, dig depressions in the ground for resting and to mark trees, communicating territorial boundaries and reproductive status.
Conservation Status: Common, but threatened in some parts of its range.
Major Threat(s): Habitat loss and poaching.
What Can I Do?: Visit
Bear Trust International and
Ursus International Conservation Institute for information on how you can help.
