Andrea Papi, 26, was out for a jog on a forest trail near Caldes village on the evening of April 5th. According to Live Science, his family reported him as missing when he did not return home. Eventually, his severely attacked body was discovered at 3 a.m. on the next day.
First Fatal Bear Attack in Italy Kills a Jogger: What Cause These Unfortunate Encounters With These Big Furry Mammals?
Bear Attack in the Italian Alps: Government Spared Culling Order of Rewilded Bear
The Italian authorities are grappling with how to handle a brown bear responsible for killing a jogger in the province of Trento. The case has raised questions about the country's rewilding program, which has proved successful but problematic. The bear, which goes by the name "JJ4," was captured on April 17, accompanied by three cubs.
ANSA news agency reports that provincial president Maurizio Fugatti initially issued an order to cull the animal, but a court suspended the order after an appeal from the animal rights group Anti-Vivisection League (LAV). The bear is believed to have been responsible for two other attacks last year, although none were fatal.
This is the second time that the order to shoot the bear has been overturned. Authorities warned that the animal was dangerous, but relevant authorities disagreed and decided that it should be allowed to roam free. Following the latest attack, there are renewed calls for action to be taken against the bear.
Claudio Groff, who oversees the large carnivores sector in the provincial government's wildlife department, told Live Science that Papi's death was particularly difficult to accept given their previous efforts to remove the bear.
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Recent Attack Shed Light on Problems in Rewilding Bears in Italy
The relatives of Papi stated that they did not request for the bear to be put down and did not hold it responsible for the incident. As per DW's report, the family is instead suing the Italian government and the Trento province.
The local media reported that, in 1999, wild brown bears were brought over from Slovenia and reintroduced to Trentino as part of a project to relocate them to the Austrian and Italian Alps.
However, some people have voiced concerns over the increasing number of bears, which has surpassed the project's intended goal. Papi is believed to be the first person to have been fatally attacked by a bear since the beginning of the project.
The situation highlights the complexities involved in managing rewilding programs and balancing the needs of humans and wildlife. As Italy continues to grapple with this issue, other countries will no doubt be watching closely to see how it unfolds.
Why Do Bears Attack Humans?
Bears, specifically polar and grizzly bears, do attack humans. These giant furry mammals are very intelligent and will not instinctively hunt or suddenly attack humans. Rather, there are several reasons why these unfortunate encounters happen.
The website Wild Explained wrote that one of the reasons why bears attack humans is to protect their cubs and food. Also, it could be due to starvation, especially when they occasionally found themselves at a human settlement. Lastly, it could be for self-defense in case someone invades their space.
Although bears do not generally see humans as their primary source of food, many species are aggressive and attack or kill humans. When that happens, dead humans become their food. That is why it is important to follow guidelines when exploring the woods where they might be living.
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