In brief

Objective: save the Crau Plain Grasshopper from probable extinction

The species is classified as “critically endangered” on all red lists: global, European, national and regional. Since January 2007, it is protected in France. The actions of the LIFE SOS Crau Crau Grasshopper are focused on four major objectives:

1. Increase the area of favourable habitat by reopening the coussoul and adapting grazing management.
2. Reduce threats such as predation by insectivorous birds in colonies by studying, monitoring and managing the nesting sites of these species.
3. Improve the captive breeding of the Crau Plain Grasshopper and start a reintroduction programme.
4. Communicate, educate and raise awareness of the Crau Plain Grasshopper, its preservation issues and its ecosystem via communication tools, training, sharing and dissemination of technical results.

The Crau Plain Grasshopper is a so-called “umbrella” species. The preservation of this very rare and threatened species means protecting its natural habitat and all the species associated with this habitat.

Public involvement

Various audiences will be involved on a local, regional, national and international scale: the general public, schoolchildren, farmers and shepherds, naturalists and experts, local politicians and landowners.