A major win for mountain biodiversity: the Alpine ptarmigan and the great capercaillie are now listed as protected species, making hunting illegal.
Recognizing the Biodiversity Emergency
Two decrees published on September 8 in the Official Journal delight conservationists: the great capercaillie and the Alpine ptarmigan are now shielded from hunters. This comes after years of advocacy by nature-protection groups. In April 2026, the Ministry of Ecological Transition had already announced this listing.
During the summer of 2026, two public consultations gathered opinions that were overwhelmingly favorable among citizens (more than 80%). “This good news marks a pivotal step in recognizing the urgency to protect biodiversity,” reacted the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO).
For Hunting, a Stable Legal Framework
“This is a small step for the administration and a giant leap for nature protection,” said Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, the president. “All our recognition goes to the Ministry of Ecological Transition, which acted decisively this year to safeguard the Alpine ptarmigan and the great capercaillie over the long term.”
The LPO welcomed the decision, noting that it provides a stable legal framework, essential given the conservation status of these two birds. Scientists classify both species as being in an unfavorable conservation status. Contributing factors include the reduction and fragmentation of their habitats, disturbances from human activities, and climate change…
