France wildlife: Rare bat and flamingo sightings reported in August

August in France saw several rare and unusual wildlife encounters. In Meyzieu, near Lyon, approximately 400 bats settled on a single house roof, a situation described by specialists as very rare. Under French law, bats and their habitats are protected, meaning residents must coexist with them.

In the Ain department, the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) described the arrival of seventeen pink flamingos in Bouligneux as ‘incredible’. This marks only the sixth time such an observation has been recorded in the department since 2000. The birds found refuge near the Étang du Balancet.

Other notable events included a parrot named Etincelle escaping from a refuge in Fénay and traveling to Saulon-la-Chapelle before being captured with a net.