It is not a fable of Jean de La Fontaine because in this story it is not a question of crow but just of foxes, or rather of foxes. These adorable furballs were photographed at the end of the week by the curator of the Père-Lachaise cemetery (twentieth) walking in the alleys and between the graves of this place deserted by walkers since the beginning of confinement.
Benoît Gallot, since it is about him, immortalized this scene which, relayed on social networks by Pénélope Komitès - assistant in charge of green spaces, nature in the city, biodiversity, urban agriculture and funeral affairs - did not failed to melt hearts. Besides, the elected Parisian admits by laughing "I would have adopted one so they are cute". But this joke past, because they are wild animals and considered harmful, the ecology of the City is delighted by these photos which confirm the return of wildlife in Parisian cemeteries.
A first ... at Père-Lachaise
“For five or six years, we had already noted the presence of foxes in our cemeteries but that concerned especially those in the suburbs like in Thiais, Bagneux, Pantin or Ivry, notes Pénélope Komitès. There, at Père-Lachaise, this is a first. Besides, the assistant curator, who has been there for 25 years, had never seen one! "
A couple and their four cubs have therefore taken up residence in the most famous cemetery in the capital. Since the start of confinement, they have discovered the 43 hectares without worrying about illustrious boarders like Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, Oscar Wild, Albert Camus, Marcel Proust, Yves Montand, Georges Moustaki, Frédéric Chopin and a certain… Jean de La Fontaine.
A quiet place without predators
“They are not disturbed and this also confirms that they are now able to travel great distances, particularly to hunt and feed. In fact, we have listed them in the Bois de Vincennes or on the Little Belt, explains Anne Hidalgo's assistant. For this newly settled family, the situation is almost idyllic. No cars, no tours and no predators. Indeed, for many years a Malinois walked alone at Père-Lachaise. It took municipal services three years to catch it. Now only rodents, cats and birds occupy the premises.
"Since 2015, we have completely changed the management of cemeteries and green spaces by banning phytosanitary products, grassing the aisles, with mulching and today we are witnessing a return to biodiversity", details Pénélope Komitès. Ducks have also been seen wandering in front of the French comedy or even Place de la République in its last days or weeks. Less populated streets and almost absent cars delight animals who set off to conquer a quieter Paris.
Find a post deconfinement solution
But what about this family of foxes after May 11? “From this Monday, we will have a meeting with the urban ecology agency of the City of Paris to find out how to protect them. You can't imagine they were run over by a car. We will have to find a solution, ”concludes the assistant.
In the meantime, these cubs which do not yet have a first name, have two weeks to take advantage of this space, to say the least, silent in the heart of the 20th arrondissement before being captured and redirected to the Little Belt or the Bois de Vincennes, places more conducive to their long-term security.