Awareness campaign for herds and protection dogs in the alpine pastures of the Haute Chaîne du Jura.

As part of the Loup National Action Plan (PNA), work was carried out by the “Loup Group” of “Nature Reserves of France” (RNF), in order to develop in 2021, in conjunction with the Ministry of Ecological Transition, specific actions on the nature reserves concerned by the species.

Thus and among the 7 actions selected and funded by the State, the Réserve naturelle nationale de la Haute Chaîne du Jura (RNNHCJ), which is part of this «wolf group of RNF», has put in place since the end of June, the action 4 «Mediation and awareness dogs protection».

For the latter, the RNNHCJ has chosen to commission 9 escorts in medium mountain (AMM) local and in full phase with the regulation and operation of the Nature Reserve, to ensure awareness days (actions of «poaching») among mountain users, particularly hikers.

The mission of these AMM is to inform during this summer (33 days spread between 26 June and 5 September) the practitioners of hikes or any other activity, on the good behaviors to adopt in the alpine pastures vis-à-vis the cattle and the protection dogs in particular, and explain their role. The objective is to limit the conflicts of use and incidents between users and dogs protecting herds (patous type).

Two mountain pastures are affected by the presence of patous dogs and sheep on the Haute Chaîne du Jura: the Crozat mountain pasture, close to the Col de la Faucille and the Curson mountain pasture, under the Crêt de la Neige.

This operation was also very well received and appreciated by the owners and breeders of these sites and in particular by the shepherd and the shepherdess. It is important to remember that poor behaviour by users towards herds and/or protection dogs can have important consequences for their work and their animals.

If during your outing, you come across one of these «marauders», identifiable thanks to a green flocked armband «Nature Reserve», do not hesitate to go and talk with him/her to learn more about the subject! You will see they are passionate and exciting people with excellent knowledge of the territory.

Finally, it should be noted that other actions specific to the wolf and aimed at professionals from the agricultural world are or will also be implemented in the coming weeks and may be the subject of a future communication.