Hunter on trial for killing protected bear in Pyrenees

An 81-year-old hunter from France is currently on trial for killing a protected female bear in the Pyrenees. The bear, known as Caramelles, attacked him while he was boar-hunting in November 2021. During the incident, Rives encountered two bear cubs. Their mother then charged at him, dragging him several metres. He shot the bear in what he claims was self-defense. Rives sustained injuries to his leg and was in shock after the attack. A fellow hunter helped stop his bleeding before he was taken to the hospital by helicopter. However, authorities say that the bear was killed outside the designated hunting zone, raising legal issues for Rives. The bear species is protected in the region that borders France and Spain.