Spring campaign to protect wildlife and plants in Sonian Forest

The Sonian Forest Foundation is launching its annual public awareness campaign to remind visitors about the need to protect wildlife during the spring mating season.

The campaign, titled "Good Habits of the Sonian Forest", calls on visitors to respect the environment and the breeding animals.

“Spring is the season when the Sonian Forest turns into a maternity ward,” the foundation explained.

“Birds breed and fawns are born. The animals of the forest need sufficient peace and space.

"Spring flowers such as wood anemones, wild hyacinths and wild garlic also come back to life in spring and are extremely vulnerable."

The Sonian Forest attracts more visitors during spring, which increases the recreational pressure on nature.

A few rules of thumb are designed to protect the animals. Visitors must stay on the paths at all times and must not trample or pick vulnerable flowers and plants.

Dogs must also be kept on a lead at all times for the peace and safety of the newborn animals - a rule whose frequent violation has often been a point of contention.

“Enjoy the beauty of the forest, but with respect for the peace and quiet of the fauna and flora, and of other visitors,” the foundation reminds potential visitors.

The Sonian volunteers, motivated local residents and nature-lovers who are committed to the forest, will regularly be stationed at the busiest entrances during the spring season.

“They are a point of contact and inform visitors about the good habits, the recreational network and the activities of the partners,” the foundation said.

“During the campaign, they will hand out chocolate eggs to forest visitors who apply the good habits.”