A legislative proposal aimed at banning marmot hunting in France has gained traction, supported by 81 parliamentarians. Advocates argue the hunt is outdated and harmful, highlighting ethical and ecological concerns. While some regions and countries have already prohibited the practice, challenges remain due to a lack of population data and ongoing debates over hunting’s regulation. Public opinion favors a ban, with a significant majority supporting protection efforts for these iconic mountain rodents.
A Step Towards Protecting Marmots
In a significant move for wildlife conservation, associations dedicated to safeguarding the marmot have achieved a preliminary victory. Spearheaded by Savoyard deputy Jean-François Coulomme, a proposal has been introduced to the National Assembly, garnering support from 81 parliamentarians as of December 2. This bill aims to outlaw the hunting of this small mountain rodent, highlighting the ethical, economic, and ecological advantages of ending this longstanding practice, which has been permitted since 1987.
The bill’s proponents argue that the hunt lacks justification based on a ‘need for regulation’ and instead originates from culinary traditions that have persisted due to custom alone. They urge the government to take decisive action to preserve the opportunity to observe living marmots in the stunning landscapes of the French mountains.
Ongoing Struggles Against Marmot Hunting
This legislative initiative follows multiple attempts to eliminate marmot hunting. In October 2022, a collective of 125 elected officials from various political backgrounds signed an open letter to the Government advocating for a ban, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
‘The practice of marmot hunting has sparked considerable outrage among citizens, particularly those residing in mountainous regions. We are thrilled to see a Savoyard deputy championing this bill to abolish such an outdated practice. It is critical to protect these emblematic animals of our mountains; losing them from the French Alps would be a tragedy!’ remarked Pauline di Nicolantonio, president of the Association Justice Animaux Savoie (AJAS), a key player in the national advocacy for this issue.
The debate surrounding marmot hunting is particularly heated in mountainous areas, especially Savoie, where the practice is prevalent. Advocates for hunting argue that it is a regulated tradition with annual quotas and that controlling the rodent population is essential due to potential damage caused by their burrowing activities. Conversely, opponents of the hunt decry these practices as relics of the past and emphasize the threats marmots face due to climate change and human encroachment.
Complicating matters further, there is currently no official count of marmot populations in France, despite their protection under Annex III of the Bern Convention. This agreement does not prohibit hunting outright but stipulates that any exploitation of these protected species must be managed to prevent population decline. The absence of reliable data on these rodents in the French mountains complicates the argument for hunting regulation.
Several regions have already enacted bans on marmot hunting, including Cantal, Pyrénées-Orientales, Drôme, Haute-Garonne, Haute-Loire, and Puy-de-Dôme. Additionally, Italy prohibited the practice back in 1992, and it is also banned in Germany. These measures were implemented following numerous warnings regarding the risks faced by marmots, which are increasingly threatened by agricultural practices, mountain tourism, soil artificialization, habitat destruction, and climate change.
In 2023, the Scientific Council of the Vanoise Park issued a warning, noting that the number of marmot litters has decreased since the 1990s, along with the survival rates of newborns. They attribute these declines partly to reduced snow cover, which negatively affects burrow insulation. The Council highlighted that the mountains have experienced warming at twice the global rate in recent years, with average temperatures rising by approximately two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
In a bid to strengthen the case for a ban on marmot hunting, 16 animal and environmental protection groups jointly submitted a letter to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Ecological Transition, calling for the prohibition of this practice. They emphasize the crucial ecological role of marmots in maintaining local biodiversity and enhancing soil fertility.
As the political landscape remains challenging, the future of marmots hangs in the balance. Nevertheless, polls indicate that a substantial 69% of the French population supports a ban on hunting these small mammals, with over 95,000 individuals already signing a petition advocating for their protection.