Italy
Criticism of the law on killing bears in Trentino
A bear runs through a hilly area in Trentino (undated handout). photo
© Matteo Zeni/Servizio Faunistico/dpa
In Trentino, so-called “problem bears” will be easier to shoot in the future. The state parliament of the northern Italian province approved a corresponding law – with different reactions.
The animal protection association Lav announced on Tuesday that it would take legal action against the new law and, if necessary, at the EU level. “This law is just a blatant vendetta that will not change the safety of the citizens of Trentino,” the statement continued.
Resettlement of “problem bears”
Provincial President Maurizio Fugatti from the right-wing Lega party, however, was satisfied: “Our priority is to ensure the safety of the Trentino population and to protect farms and businesses with livestock.” When it comes to protecting people, one shouldn’t hold back: “Dangerous bears must be killed.” He also emphasized that the relocation of “problem bears” abroad, proposed by animal rights activists, was not a solution as many countries had already rejected this.
After a debate lasting several hours in the state parliament, MPs approved the draft law late on Monday evening, which, according to the state government, serves to contain the bear population in the region, which is popular with holidaymakers. The opposition tabled numerous amendments, delaying the final vote. The session had to be interrupted several times because animal rights activists tried to enter the chamber to protest against the new law. They are calling for milder measures to make coexistence between humans and bears safer.
The new law will make it easier for Fugatti to order the shooting of up to eight problematic animals that are classified as dangerous. He had already been able to do this before – but with many bureaucratic hurdles. Of the maximum eight per year, only two adult females, two adult males and four young animals are allowed. This maximum quota initially applies to the years 2024 and 2025.
A bear killed a jogger last year
The determination of up to eight bears comes from an assessment by the Italian environmental agency Ispra. According to Ispra, the killing of up to eight bears would not lead to a threatening demographic decline of brown bears in Trentino. If there were no intervention at all, this would mean that the bear population could increase to around 250 animals in 15 years. This would be devastating in the relatively small area of Trentino.
The bear population in Trentino has continued to expand in recent years. There are currently thought to be around 100 adult brown bears there. At the last estimate in 2022 there were 85. Incidents occur again and again. In April last year, a young jogger was attacked and killed by the bear JJ4, known as Gaia. Since then, the debate about the bears has heated up.
Calls for the killing of “problem bears” grew louder after the sensational incident. However, animal protection groups opposed this. In view of the new law, the tone has become more tense. Fugatti and other provincial representatives are now being threatened – sometimes with death.