"Lucky Bustards!" Rare Birds' Habitat Saved as French Judges Block Mega-Basins

Young bustards are vulnerable to predators. (Photo: DW.com)

The French government approved the construction of 16 water reserves – known as mega-basins – for agricultural use in the Marais Poitevin, north of La Rochelle.



But ten environmental campaign groups, including Nature Environnement 17 and the Ligue de protection des oiseaux ("Birds' Protection League", LPO), opposed the decision and took the case to the Bordeaux Administrative Court of Appeal.

The court ruled that four of the 16 mega-basins are likely to destroy all or part of the habitat of the little bustard.

"The authorization granted is illegal because it does not provide for a 'protected species' exemption," the judges said.

Little bustards grow to between 42 and 45cm long with a 90-110cm wingspan. They weigh around 830g and feed on seeds, insects, rodents and reptiles.

"The bustard is a species on life support," Ouvrard added. "It lost 94 percent of its numbers between 1978 and 2000".



Sources:

https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20241220-lucky-bustards-rare-birds-habitat-saved-as-judges-reject-mega-basin-plan

https://www.dw.com/en/how-to-protect-the-great-bustard-one-of-the-worlds-heaviest-flying-birds/a-43150408