Document type: to Question No. 12679 published in the Official Journal of the French Republic on the website of theNational Assembly on February 24, 2026
Authors: question: Mr. Sylvain Carrière (Hérault (8th district) – La France Insoumise – Nouveau Front Populaire). Answer: Ministry of Ecological Transition
Question: Mr Sylvain Carrière draws the attention of the Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, and International Climate and Nature Negotiations to the exploitation of non-domestic carnivorous animals in commercial and entertainment activities. Although the ruling of March 25, 2004 regulates zoological establishments in this matter, many private establishments are not subject to it and continue to exploit wild carnivores. This was revealed in an investigative report, published on September 25, 2025 by the Association Quatre Pattes, on the organization of photo shoots with an American black bear in an establishment located in France. During these sessions, the animal was made to pose with visitors from outside the establishment, allowing itself to be petted, fed, and kissed. These practices involved contact between a wild animal and the public, with no separation or safety measures. Such activities are likely to create serious problems in terms of animal welfare and public safety, risking accidents and the transmission of zoonotic diseases. The scientific community and animal welfare organizations have issued warnings for several years concerning the inherent risks of close interactions with wild animals, particularly where selfies with these animals are concerned, as these normalize their exploitation and undermine awareness-raising efforts on wildlife protection. Although the Decree of October 8, 2018, sets out the general rules for the keeping of non-domestic animals, it does not specifically regulate commercial activities that bring the public into contact with wild animals. This gap in the legislation is all the more questionable given that the Decree of March 25, 2004, which applies to zoological establishments, strictly regulates physical contact between the public and animals, along with the giving of food, in order to protect against risk. He would therefore like to know what measures she intends to take to put an end to these practices, which compromise both the safety of citizens and the welfare of captive wild animals. He also asks her whether she intends to ban activities involving direct contact or physical proximity between wild carnivores and third parties in all non-zoological establishments.
Answer: The government is committed to the proper enforcement of the law to combat animal abuse passed by the nation's elected representatives, and responds promptly when notified by associations of proven cases. In order to determine the rules that apply to the activity described, several checks must be carried out, which are the responsibility of the devolved government services in the Department in question. These services have been notified of the case reported by the Association Quatre pattes. Article 49 of Law No. 2021-1539 of November 30, 2021, to combat animal abuse and strengthen the bond between animals and humans, prohibits the keeping of non-domestic animals, including bears, for the purpose of presenting them to the public in traveling shows from 2023 onwards. If the photo shoot takes place on the road—and not in the animal's enclosure—it is prohibited on these grounds. In accordance with Article L. 413-2 of the Environmental Code, "those responsible for establishments breeding and rearing non-domestic animals, selling, renting, or transporting them, as well as those responsible for establishments intended for the presentation of live specimens of local or foreign fauna to the public, must hold a certificate of competence for the care of these animals ." In addition, the Decree of March 25, 2004, establishing the general operating rules and general characteristics of permanent zoological establishments presenting live specimens of local or foreign fauna to the public, applies to establishments presenting animals "for at least seven days per year." Thus, depending on whether the activity of presenting animals to the public falls below or above this threshold, a certificate of competence known as a "breeding and rearing" certificate or a certificate of competence known as a "presentation to the public" certificate will be required, respectively. The rules that strictly govern physical contact between the public and animals, as set out in the Decree of March 25, 2004, apply only to establishments covered by that decree. Other establishments, given their diversity, are not subject to a similar decree, and the Government does not intend to amend the regulations on this point. However, in the event of an incident, the person responsible for the animal will obviously be held liable, pursuant to Article 1243 of the Civil Code, which states that "the owner of an animal, or the person who uses it while it is in their care, is liable for any damage caused by the animal."
