An order to locate and destroy a deadly bear has been overturned after a successful appeal by an animal rights group.
Officials issued the decree for the brown bear, identified as Jj4, but also known as Gaia, after they mauled trail runner Andrea Papi (26) to death last week.
DNA samples found at the scene on a stick Andrea used in defense and on his clothes and body identified the 17-year-old bear as the perpetrator.
It was later revealed that the bear was also involved in another attack in 2020, in which a father and his son were seriously injured after fleeing for their lives.
The incidents all happened on Mount Peller near Caldes in the northern Italian region of Trentino, where around 100 bears are said to live after being reintroduced in 2000.
An order to “locate and destroy” a deadly bear identified as Jj4 has been overturned after a successful appeal by an animal rights group
DNA samples showed that the 17-year-old bear bitten runner Andrea Papi to death on Mount Peller near Caldes last week
Regional president Maurizio Fugatti last week ordered the bear killed after the fatal attack – the first of its kind in Italy – on Andrea.
But the Italian Anti-Vivisection League (LAV), an animal rights movement group, protested through its lawyer Claudio Linzola in a regional court and he received a month-long suspension.
LAV posted a photo of a bear cub with its mother and wrote on his Twitter feed: “The order was stayed by the regional court, which granted our motions.
“The arrogance of regional president Maurizio Fugatti has been defeated. Bears and Trentino citizens have the right to live in peace.”
In a statement, LAV said: “This is clearly Mr Fugatti’s wish, he has no intention of working with us on a peaceful resolution between bears and humans.
“What he wants is revenge on bears, all he wants is to kill them or drive them out of the area.
“There is an alternative option for these animals, even the one he killed. These bears can all be saved.
“The community just needs to run a good information campaign for local people and holidaymakers so they know what to do if they see a bear.
“Don’t kill these bears, give them to the LAV.”
The morning after the attack, mountain rescue teams with sniffer dogs came across Andrea’s broken body and he was pronounced dead at the scene
Regional president Maurizio Fugatti last week ordered the bear killed after the fatal attack – the first of its kind in Italy – on Andrea. But an animal rights organization won an appeal for her stay of execution
Mr Fugatti said: “In 2020 we approved the killing of Jj4 after she attacked two people on Mount Peller.
“We have notified various authorities that Jj4 is a dangerous bear, but we have always been defeated and told that she is not dangerous and should be free.
“But dangerous animals cannot roam freely in our forests and countryside.”
Mr Fugatti said he would call for an urgent meeting between regional authorities and animal rights groups to “discuss the situation as a matter of urgency”.
In a statement from her lawyer, Andrea’s mother Franca said: “It’s not my son’s fault, it’s not even the bear’s fault – if I shoot the bear I won’t get Andrea back.”
“The management of this project has become increasingly lax and inadequate over time, failing to consider and evaluate growth in bear numbers and populations.
“We as a family demand that someone be held responsible for the lack of protection and prevention, they cannot get away with it.”
Judge Fulvio Rocco said he suspended the order pending more evidence from both sides and adjourned the case until May 11.
Judge Fulvio Rocco said he stayed the warrant pending more evidence from both sides and adjourned the case until May 11. Photo: Andrea Papi
The original 2020 was shattered after it was revealed that Jj4 – aka Gaia – had given birth to bear cubs.
Jj4 was born after two bears were brought to Italy from Slovenia by a project called Life Ursula, which aims to increase the dwindling bear population.
After the 2020 attack, the Jj4 was fitted with an electric collar, but the battery has since died and officials have been unable to replace it.
A notice on the website of the council overseeing the prosecution says that “due to a technical error, Jj4’s current whereabouts were unknown.”
Source link
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
