Bear Attack on French Tourist in Trentino
A 43-year-old French tourist is recovering from injuries sustained during a bear attack in the northern Italian province of Trentino. The incident occurred while the man was running near the town of Dro. Authorities have confirmed that his injuries, affecting his arms and legs, are not life-threatening.
Rising Bear Encounters in Trentino
This recent attack is part of a troubling pattern of bear encounters in the region. Just last week, a Swiss woman and her three children had a close encounter with a bear and its cub near Lake Molveno. In April 2023, an Italian jogger was fatally attacked by a bear, marking the first deadly bear attack in Italy. The bear responsible, identified as JJ4, was captured and is set to be transferred to a reserve in Germany after legal interventions by animal rights groups.
Measures and Controversies
The provincial authorities have been grappling with the growing bear population, which has surged since the reintroduction program 'Life Ursus' between 1996 and 2004. Originally intended to support 50 bears, the population now exceeds 100. In response, a decree was approved to cull up to eight 'problematic' bears annually in 2024 and 2025. However, this measure has faced significant opposition from animal rights groups, leading to ongoing legal challenges.
