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ANIMALS

Air France slammed for transporting lab monkeys

Air France was forced on Tuesday to defend its practice of flying live animals for lab testing, after US-based animal rights group PETA vowed to continue its campaign to stop the French airline from transporting primates.

Published: 22 October 2013 17:25 CEST
Air France slammed for transporting lab monkeys
An animal rights activist from PETA protests against the practice of transporting animals destined for lab testing. Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP

Air France released a statement on Tuesday saying it complies fully with international regulations governing the carriage of animals destined to be used for laboratory testing. 

Animal rights group PETA had said Monday it hopes to collect 25,000 signatures by October 31st on an online petition urging Air France to cease transporting primates.

In its statement People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) alleged the French airline is among only a few major carriers that still transport monkeys for use in lab experiments.

But in a response from its Paris head office, Air France said its cargo unit ensures the airline only works with laboratories whose biomedical research "is fully in line with current legislation and the regulations drawn up by scientific organizations specializing in animal welfare."

It added that it "visits all customers" to ensure that testing protocols conform with regulations, and that it monitors animal suppliers "who must comply with the breeding rules in force."

"If nothing authorizes an airline from ruling on the merits of using animals in biomedical research… then nothing authorizes it from refusing this type of transport in a perfectly legal way, with particular caution on the part of all those involved," it said.

Air France went on to quote a European Union directive from 2010 as saying that "the use of nonhuman primates in scientific procedures is necessary for biomedical research."

In January 2012, PETA claimed success in urging Air France to cancel a shipment of monkeys from Mauritius to a US laboratory, following a similar appeal to supporters.

This isn't the first time in recent weeks that Air France has ended up in a pickle due to its cargo. Last month, more than a tonne of cocaine, worth €200 million ($270 million), was transported on an Air France flight from Venezuela to France in 30 suitcases.

Venezuelan Justice Minister Miguel Rodriguez openly voiced his suspicion that employees of the airline had been involved in the drug-smuggling.

"How can the cocaine shipment reach France and it gets taken out without going through the normal controls?" he asked.

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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