Three lynx killed in the Swiss Jura by mistake, by a hunter who had authorization to kill wolves

HUNT – An incredible waste. A Swiss professional hunter, believed to also be a wildlife warden, killed “ by mistake » three lynxes, while he was thinking of killing wolves, in mid-November. According to The Parisianthe man had received authorization to kill animals, but wolves. Instead, he shot the felines, a mother and her two cubs.

The hunter denounced himself, pleading “ the error » and an investigation was opened to determine what happened during this hunt.

A member of the large predators center in the Jura, Patrice Raydelet, confided his incomprehension to the Republican East. Difference in sizes, profiles… “How can a professional hunter, mandated by the government, be so wrong? It shows a total ignorance of wildlife. We have crossed the red line towards the total destruction of biodiversity. We can talk about ecocide. It's a disaster! »he declared.

Not able to tell the difference between a canine and a feline

Especially since it is normally prohibited to shoot an animal that has not been formally identified. “ The wolf looks like a German shepherd with a big tail, the lynx looks like a big cat, with a small tailPatrice Raydelet still protests to France 3 Burgundy
Franche-Comté. He's a professional hunter, with professional equipment, and they can't tell the difference between a wolf and a lynx? »

As recalled The Parisianthere would only be 200 lynx left in the area. This species is also protected, which still faces the threat of poaching, road accidents and alteration of its habitat.

French law also provides for three years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros for illegally shooting a boreal lynx. A sentence which would never be applied, to the regret of Patrice Raydelet. “I think that the day this is done, it will make candidates think about this type of activity”he estimates with France 3. In 2023, 18 lynx were killed in Jura.

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