Opponents of the bears say they will also pose a serious threat to hikers, shepherds and livestock. Releases were suspended pending the court ruling after the regional farmers' unions attempted to block them.
Protestors passed through the streets with cows and donkeys at the head of the procession before gathering outside the town hall where the farmers' spokesmen made speeches denouncing the government for the bear releases.
"Apart from the question of reintroducing a predatory animal — be it a bear, lynx or wolf — what is shocking is that they wanted to take away the mountain people's right to decide for themselves," said Jean-Louis Cazaubon, president of the chamber of agriculture for the Midi-Pyrenees region.
Two female brown bears from Slovenia, named Franska and Palouma, have been released in recent weeks, and a further three — two females and a male — are to follow, joining a total of 18 bears already roving the region.
The cows and donkeys at Saturday's march bore the inscriptions "Nelly" and "Rolland," referring to Ecology Minister Nelly Olin and local mayor Rolland Castells, two decision-makers involved in the bear releases.
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.
