Two poachers face three years in prison and a 150,000 euro fine for killing a critically endangered raptor.

White-tailed Eagle (ILLUSTRATION). MAXPPP – Philippe Clément

This Monday, May 13, in Grenoble, the trial begins of two poachers responsible for the death of a white-tailed eagle, a species classified as critically endangered. extinction. They risk up to 3 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros.

This is a rare trial which opens in Grenoble this Monday, May 13. Two poachers will be tried for destruction of a protected species, following the death of Morzine last February.

This white-tailed eagle, resulting from a breeding program, was released last September, near the Drac river (Isère). In very good health, she represented hope for the preservation of the species, before the two accused hunters shot her.

Critically Endangered

As our colleagues from France 3 explain, this raptor, classified as "critically endangered" of extinction, benefits from total protection status. It is therefore strictly forbidden to harm or disrupt it. Believing that hunters were necessarily aware of this status, the Departmental Federation of Hunters of Isère and around ten associations became civil parties in this lawsuit.

The suspects could face up to three years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros in this case.