Résumé
In Réunion Island, since 2009, the “Nuits Sans Lumière” have been held every year in order to save a species classified as endangered: the Barau’s petrel (Pterodroma baraui). This event consists of reducing light pollution to limit the number of groundings (around 22,970 since 2007). Nevertheless, few studies have been carried out on the social representations of the inhabitants towards this event. However, the opinion of the population counts a lot in the success of a conservation action. A survey was therefore carried out in 3 municipalities on the island: Cilaos which is a rural municipality located near the petrel colonies, Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre which are urban municipalities. The results show that the closer the municipality is to the petrel colonies, the more favorable it is to the program. But representations of urban insecurity can be a barrier to its acceptance. This action must therefore continue in collaboration with population.