MASS RAVE PARTY IN NATURE RESERVE

Between 30th April and 4^th May 2003 a mass "rave party" took place, with the authorisation of the responsible Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, in a nature reserve in the Champagne-Ardenne region. The ravages caused by the last such event in 2001 are still obvious. This year's mass event with 40,000 participants in the middle of the breeding period (!) has caused yet more incalculable damage.

The species most affected by the mass event were ground breeders such as Stone Curlew, Whinchat, Meadow Pipit, Corn Bunting ; in addition shrubs and tree breeders such as Red-backed Shrike, Cuckoo, Kestrel, Long-eared Owl, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Nightingale, Melodious Warbler, Whitethroat, Linnet, raptors such as Montagu's Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite and many others were affected. The region is the last breeding territory of the Short-eared Owl in the Champagne-Ardenne and is home to the last remaining pairs of the once widespread Little Bustard.

French ornithologists have asked for support by sending a protest letter/mail to the French Environment and Interior ministries with a copy to the European Union Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström.

The original French text has been retained with minor amendments and translations in English and German have been made by Proact. Please one or all of the texts at the links below - or compose your own: