“In Belgium, we are very attentive to animal welfare. When I arrived in France, I was surprised that foxes were classified as pests. It was on the basis of this observation that Carine Gresse had the idea of opening her refuge. A carefully considered and concretized project with the official opening of the Clos des Renardiseson April 13, in Douzillac, in the west of the Dordogne.
The former veterinary assistant created her association in 2020. The site receives foxes unable to survive alone in the wild, following injuries or “impregnation” -…
“In Belgium, we are very attentive to animal welfare. When I arrived in France, I was surprised that foxes were classified as pests. It was on the basis of this observation that Carine Gresse had the idea of opening her refuge. A carefully considered and concretized project with the official opening of the Clos des Renardiseson April 13, in Douzillac, in the west of the Dordogne.
The former veterinary assistant created her association in 2020. The site receives foxes unable to survive alone in the wild, following injuries or “impregnation” – taming by humans. Although the vulpes vulpes is prohibited for possession, with penalties of up to three years in prison and a fine of 150,000 eurosCarine Gresse has received about twenty requests since the opening, most of them from individuals.
“Neither a park nor a zoo”, this kind of refuge remains very rare in France. The other establishments can be counted on the fingers of one hand and are located in Herault or in Alsace.
Five protected
With a maximum capacity of six foxes, the Clos des Renardises already accommodates four, and will soon receive a fifth. Upon arrival, animals are microchipped, neutered, vaccinated and tested for bovine tuberculosis, as an extra precaution.
The foxes collected in Douzillac will never be able to live in the wild again, because injured or impregnated.
Michel Faure
“We judge him too quickly as a looter of chicken coops”
All have traveled miles across France to reach the sanctuary. Among them, Sacha, a 5-month-old fox from Doubs, or Candela, from Hérault, “the little concierge” and “mother of newcomers”, victim of neurological disorders after a collision with a car. The fox Lupine met the same fate and became blind. The youngest, 3 months old, lives exceptionally apart from the others.
Modules have been installed to allow the animals to take shelter.
Michel Faure
Covering an area of 800 m² and surrounded by a double fence, the enclosure meets strict standards and has been subject to prior inspection by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB). A way to also reassure neighbors worried about their chickens.
“Changing mindsets”
The one who defines herself as a “passionate carnivore” has behind her a long experience with wildlife. Carine Gresse has already kept a wolf, before her reintegration into a pack, and has been training for two years to know everything about the red fox. She has set up an infirmary area to provide first aid to her charges.
Originally from Belgium, Carine Gresse worked as a rural veterinary assistant for many years.
Michel Faure
If the Clos des Renardises is not accessible to the public, Carine Gresse intervenes during extracurricular workshops and has created teaching aids, illustrated with her pencil stroke. She insists: “It is not only a question of saving foxes but of changing mentalities, giving it a place in our ecosystems. He is judged too quickly as a robber of chicken coops. »
And for good reason, the fox is kept on the list of pests – officially designated as “species likely to cause damage” (or Esod) -, which however feeds 75% on rodents, enemies of agricultural crops. “The fox is also a great helper against Lyme disease,” adds the healer.
Coming from the Doubs, Sacha, 5 months old, is more shy than her eldest.
Michel Faure
The project had to be validated upstream by the departmental directorate of territories (DDT), in consultation with the departmental commission for hunting and wildlife (CDFS) in particular. “I am not against hunters, we have a cordial agreement but I am fighting against barbaric practices. Digging up is immoral,” defends Carine Gresse. She adds with a touch of pride: “We were winners of the 2022 participatory budget and I know that hunters have signed. »
Lots of support
The idea of a refuge has also been widely acclaimed. “It’s very unifying”, rejoices the guardian of Clos des Renardises, who has obtained the financial support of the Dordogne Department and the New Aquitaine Region, among other things, but also that of many individual donors (1).
Residents need at least one hour of morning and evening care.
Michel Faure
Le Clos des Renardises was also able to count on a well-known foundation for its commitment. “I had an epistolary relationship with Brigitte Bardot. The foundation financed two-thirds of the construction costs of the enclosures,” explains Carine Gresse. The volunteers took turns over the participatory projects and the neighborhood also took part in the momentum of solidarity. Like these local butchers, who reserve part of their carcasses for the little ones protected.
In the future, the refuge could extend over 1,500 m² and would then accommodate up to 12 animals, provided that the state services give the green light.
(1) Contact on 06 08 62 92 43. It is possible to make a donation on the following link: helloasso.com/associations/le-clos-des-renardises/formulaires/1.
2023-08-20 19:34:10
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