French law offers long-term protection for garden wildlife Owners in France can call on the law for help to 鈥榬ewild鈥� their land. Here is how
French windfarm paused after 300 protected birds killed by blades Plus how many windfarms are there in France?
8 out of 10 people in France want hunting banned at weekend A similar percentage is in favour of banning hunting during school holidays as well
news French city first to sign European animal protection decree: what does it say? The declaration is intended to help European judges and MPs to 鈥榖uild reasoning鈥� when considering future animal welfare cases
New bill aims to outlaw use of small water bottles in France Tens of millions of these little plastic bottles are sold in France every year
France's first national park is an outdoor haven Discover the breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity of Parc National de la Vanoise, in the Auvergne-Rh么ne-Alpes region
Pet care to be part of France鈥檚 school curriculum from September 2024 The new programme will aim to teach respect and compassion for pets, in a bid to fight animal mistreatment
Alain Delon鈥檚 dog will not be euthanised and buried with him The late actor had said he wanted 鈥榯o go together鈥� but animal welfare associations expressed alarm at the wishes
Spot dolphins and whales on cross Channel UK-France ferry Passengers are invited to access the ferry decks and record observations on a special app
VIDEO: Driver films three lynx by side of French road The video also raises awareness of the real risk of traffic collisions to the endangered animals
Stray dogs to be shot after sheep attacks in southern France But animal welfare campaigners say the dogs should be taken to shelters instead
Marineland in south of France again criticised over new whale death An animal welfare association has filed a legal complaint but the park denies it keeps orcas in poor conditions
Normandy first French region to stop funding wild animal shows The move is part of a wider trend away from wild animal use
Fishing is banned off west coast of France to protect dolphins The month-long ban has been denounced by fishing groups but environmentalists say more in needed
Drivers warned about wandering cats and hedgehogs on new French signs The signs ask drivers to slow down and were the idea of a council worker who runs a shelter for stray cats and was saddened by how many are run over
French police to receive animal protection training The move has been welcomed by animal welfare groups
Ban fishing in parts of Atlantic, France told, as dolphin deaths surge This comes as around 900 dolphins have washed-up dead on France鈥檚 Atlantic coastline this winter
French mayor decree legally allows noisy cockerels Noisy countryside cockerels in an Haute-Savoie (Auvergne-Rh么ne-Alpes) commune are now legally free to crow to their heart鈥檚 content after a mayor took out a decree to preserve 鈥渓ife in the countryside鈥�.
French railway fits innovative alarm system to stop wildlife accidents The new device will be used in Burgundy where collisions with wildlife on the tracks happen regularly
France bans 鈥榯raining鈥� dog collars that cause pain to animals MPs voted to outlaw collars with spikes, electricity or which tighten without a means of restricting this
Walrus spotted resting in Normandy port, 3,500km from home The mammal was not thought to be in poor health, and was just one of the North Atlantic animals seen in French ports this weekend
French parliament to debate banning traditional corrida bullfighting A left-wing MP has proposed a bill which would outlaw bullfighting in France where the animal is killed, and which is expected to be voted on in November
English-speaking animal rescue charity in France appeals for helpers The Phoenix Association warns that animal welfare is at stake without more people to help with its fundraising efforts
Lions, crocodiles: How exotic animal ownership rules work in France The issue is in the spotlight after two crocodiles and a caiman were recently found living in unsuitable conditions at a house in Essonne
Animal first aid course gives French pet owners tips on emergency care The training includes realistic touches like spurting blood and smoke machines
Cost of living: French animal shelters full as pet abandonments rise Dog abandonment is up 6% this year so far, and adoption levels are low because people cannot afford to take on expenses such as vet bills, shelters are warning
Protest planned against circus using wild animals in north France Associations have said that 鈥榓nimals are not there to entertain us鈥� and are against the circus鈥� use of wild animals
Beluga whale in Seine dies during rescue operation The whale was euthanised during the unprecedented mission as vets said its 鈥榮uffering was evident鈥� and it was unlikely to survive any future release back into the sea
Seine beluga update: Plus, why are sea creatures entering the river? The beluga is being moved to a salt water area, as experts grapple to explain why more whales appear to be swimming into the river
Animal seen in Seine river in north west France is a beluga whale Authorities are currently evaluating the whale鈥檚 condition and ask the public not to approach it to avoid causing it stress
France reviews reauthorising traditional net and cage bird hunts The government says that any hunting, which would involve thrushes and blackbirds, will be done in compliance with EU law but the LPO bird protection organisation is strongly opposed
France imposes new rules to stop rash pet purchases and avoid neglect New owners are now required to sign a certificate or contract to show that they fully understand the responsibilities, costs, requirements and logistics of owning a pet
鈧�10,000 reward for help in finding person who shot Seine orca Charity Sea Shepherd France hopes to end 'the silence and impunity鈥� within the fishing community with regard to attacks on protected species
French NGO files complaint after bullet found in dead Seine orca The whale died in May after rescue attempts failed. The bullet, lodged in its head, does not appear to be the cause of death
Sea life organisations question handling of orca that died in Seine Sea Shepherd France and an expert scientific group were disappointed not to be consulted, saying their solutions could have increased the chances of saving the whale
Update: sick orca whale trapped in the Seine found dead Experts tried to steer the animal to safety over the weekend but had decided that its declining health made euthanasia the 鈥榦nly possible alternative鈥�
Video: Orca whale seen in Seine river but authorities cannot intervene The animal has been observed in the river between le Havre and Rouen. Its health is now thought to be at risk
Rising inflation blamed for increase in pet abandonment in France Rescue rates of animals in shelters dropped by 4% this year compared to last, with owners appearing to give up their animals due to rising costs
鈥楢 long road ahead鈥�: Parti Animaliste leader on French animal rights H茅l猫ne Thouy discusses her presidential campaign and the barriers to improving animal welfare in France
鈥楧runk鈥� deer in Normandy: Why this natural phenomenon happens People are warned to stay calm if they see a deer acting strangely and to call the nearest wild fauna centre if anyone is in danger
Villagers fight to save their local 鈥榤ascot鈥� deer in southern France The deer, which is seen in local gardens daily and even allows people to approach it, is facing removal or even slaughter after a resident complained that it was eating flowers
French mayor wants travelling circus with wild animals off town land The mayor of Narbonne says the town 鈥榲ehemently opposes鈥� to the use of wild animals in such events
Animal rights candidate lacks support to stand in French election 鈥楩rance has built a culture that prides itself on animal-cruelty - take the example at foie-gras,鈥� H茅l猫ne Thouy tells The Connexion
French woman says she was 鈥榯reated like criminal鈥� after saving a boar The office for biodiversity intends to return animal to its natural habitat, despite the woman saying it has become attached to her and wants to stay
Confiscated or rescued wild animals find new home at unique French zoo Unwanted male elephants, retired circus tigers, lab animals and many other exotic creatures are among the animals found there
Call for volunteers to help thousands of toads cross busy French road The toads risk their lives every year by attempting to cross so as to reach their spring mating ground
French hunters to 鈥榞et gift ahead of election鈥�, say wildlife charities A new rule will make it harder for animal rights groups to lodge legal objections to hunting periods
Birdwatcher鈥檚 guide to France: Nature reserves, parks and trails Explore the country鈥檚 best landscapes for watching pink flamingos, birds of prey or even migrating birds, as well as information centres and exhibitions
Thousands of animals await adoption in France after Covid lockdowns Shelters say they can not take any more pets as they are flooded with post Covid lockdown abandonments
French animal protection law 鈥榠nspired鈥� by UK Lo茂c Dombreval, the MP who pushed for the new animal protection law explains how Britain was a useful model and why hunting issues had to be put to one side
Lyon becomes third city in France to ban foie gras on cruelty grounds Foie gras is 鈥榥ot a French speciality but a French shame,鈥� said the mayor of Grenoble where the delicacy is also banned
Diary of a birdwatcher in France: The common buzzard Jonathan Kemp recounts his somewhat painful experience of trying to rescue an injured buzzard that he found at the side of a road
Wild animals to be banned from shows in France 鈥� where will they go? Around 800 wild animals and 25 marine mammals are set to be freed from travelling circuses within seven years under a new law
France鈥檚 new animal welfare law passes: What will it change for pets? New pet owners will have to sign a certificate confirming they understand the responsibilities involved plus there will be harsher punishments for abandonment and cruelty
Diary of a birdwatcher in France: The Egyptian vulture Jonathan Kemp explains how he was witness to some extraordinary behaviour by the smallest of the four vulture species found in Europe
Why French government agreement marks historic day for animal welfare Animal protection groups celebrate decision to ban sales of puppies and kittens in pet stores and the use of wild animals in travelling circuses (but not for seven years) and more
Petition condemns decision to shoot puma on loose in north France Pas-de-Calais鈥� prefecture has authorised the killing of the animal if it cannot be caught and says it will be impossible to tranquilise it
Campaigner calls for more legal protection for police dogs in France Mistreatment against dogs working in the line of fire should be recognised more in law, an association has said, as they are 鈥榮oldiers鈥�, just like people
New French anti animal mistreatment law to be discussed in Senate The law aims to reduce pet abandonments and end the use of wild animals in shows in France but MPs and senators disagree on key points
Diary of a birdwatcher in France: The capture of 33 griffon vultures Ten griffon vultures in Occitanie have been equipped with tracking equipment, so that experts can gather more information on the huge birds. Jonathan Kemp was part of the equipping operation, which involved temporarily trapping 33 birds, and explains why it is important
Nearly 10,000 hens rescued by charity Champs Libres aux Poules 'In two days I had rehomed 400 hens' says Heidi Carneau, on discovering there was a battery farm nearby when she moved from the UK to the Gers in 2019
Here鈥檚 what you need to know about pets and vets in France People relocating to France, especially from the US, may fear that attitudes to pets and vets are not the same here. Our writer, who owned a cat in France, recalls her mixed experience
10 wildlife excursions to try in France From the Alps to the Riviera, here's our pick of where to watch for wolves, birds, bears and other beasts
Celebrities in France call for end to online ad and shop sales of pets The open letter published on the PETA website calls for the government to do more to reduce pet abandonment at the source
Animal welfare groups fight decree to kill 3,000 foxes in north France The decree in the Oise department is set to give 15 hunters permission to kill 200 foxes each on 鈥榬egulation鈥� grounds, but animal protection groups pledge to fight the decision
Two lynx kittens born in northern Vosges - the first in 400 years The spring birth follows six years of conservation work by organisations in France and Germany, who are working to reintroduce a Eurasian lynx population in a local nature reserve
France's bird population declined by 30% in 30 years, figures reveal Falling bird populations threaten biodiversity across the country, the president of La Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux has said
Hopes that at-risk whale in French seas will reach marine park today Scientists have been tracking the lost 18-month-old whale along the south of France coastline for days. Grey whales are usually found off the Pacific coast
Help scientists look for at-risk whale off France's south coast The grey whale, not usually found in the Mediterranean, has not been seen since Friday. Scientists say it is in danger
Count hedgehogs in your garden to help French study Volunteers wanted to take animal footprints as part of a 10-year survey into animal numbers
Route in east France closed to allow frogs to mate safely A rural route in Grand Est will stay closed every night for almost a month so that amphibians can cross and reach nearby ponds where they reproduce
Animal welfare: Pet buyers in France will need certificate The animal mistreatment bill was voted through in parliament, although campaigners have called for more and criticised gaps in the proposals
Caged circus elephant found in south France The owner of the mistreated animal is wanted for animal cruelty in France and Spain
Lynx killed by poachers in eastern France The wild cat is the third lynx thought to be killed by humans in France in the past 12 months, with environmentalists saying hunters are to blame
Griffon vultures no longer in danger of extinction in France Breakthrough for French ornithologists as the vulture species, once thought to be extinct, now has around 2,000 breeding couples around France
