Bear kills hundreds of sheep by chasing them over cliff edge

Local farmers in Couflens, France, say the predators keep attacking their livestock

(File photo) (Getty)

More than 200 sheep fell to their deaths after being chased off a cliff by a bear.

The sheep belonged to a farmer in Couflens, France and were frightened off when the predator attacked one of its flock.

After the predator attacked the first sheep, the other 209 ran away in a panic, according to the Guardian.

The sheep fell off a 200 metre-high cliff, situated on the border of France and Spain, while trying to make an escape.

The bodies of 169 sheep were discovered at the foot of the cliff in the Spanish village of Lladdore, and the others were found in France.

Bear fur was spotted on one of the sheep and analysis will now take place to ascertain what happened, according to Europa Press.

The bears have been reintroduced to the region after becoming extinct in the area over the past 30 years

More than 130 sheep died in similar bear-related incidents in the previous year and local farmers have raised concerns about the predators attacking their livestock.

“Pastoralism – which protects biodiversity and keeps the mountains alive – is not compatible with the reintroduction of large predators,” the local branch of the French farmer’s federation said.