The governor of Trentino, Maurizio Fugatti, announced the planning of a corresponding law. In Italy, the debate over the coexistence of bears and humans has reached a fever pitch since the death of a runner from Trentino.
The autonomous province of Trento is planning a law that would allow the killing of up to eight bears per year. The governor of Trentino, Maurizio Fugatti (Lega), announced this on Thursday. “It is an important administrative tool that guarantees, first and foremost, public safety, but also the protection of the mountain economy,” said Fugatti.
“In a terrible year marked by the murder of a young runner, we hope that regulations come into force as soon as possible to allow the Autonomous Province to take quick and effective action against bears and wolves and ensure the safety of people and farms,” said Fugatti.
The law must be introduced “as quickly as possible”.
“We are working to ensure that the new law, which allows the killing of up to eight bears per year, is introduced as quickly as possible, based on agreements already signed with the national government”, emphasized the governor of Trentino. He is at odds with animal protection groups. They won a victory in court on Wednesday. The regional administrative court of Trento has again suspended the killing of two problem bears and referred the matter to the European Court of Justice. This means that the regulation approved by the province of Trento to kill the two bears has been frozen.
However, the regional administrative court confirmed the possibility of capturing the man, known by the code MJ5, who attacked a man while he was walking his dog in the forest above the municipality of Malè, in Trentino. Troublesome bear JJ4, which is at an animal center in Casteller in Trento, is believed to be responsible for the fatal attack on a 26-year-old runner last April.
The debate has reached a fever pitch since the death of a runner
A court hearing is scheduled for January 11, at which a decision will be made on the transfer of JJ4 to a bear sanctuary in Romania, at the expense of the animal protection association LAV. Animal rights activists have complained that a “climate of fear and hatred” has been instigated against bears in Trentino.
In Italy, since the death of the Trentino runner, the debate about the coexistence of bears and humans has reached a fever pitch. Many people protested the original plans to kill JJ4 and MJ5. Animal rights activists have repeatedly called for people to be informed about wild animals or to create wildlife corridors. According to the province of Trento, the number of bears in the area has increased enormously since the EU “Life Ursus” project began 24 years ago. Instead of the expected 50, around 100 wild animals settled.