The Trentino “problem bear” known by the code F36, against which there was an order to capture and kill, is dead. The carcass was found on Wednesday night in the Bondone valley, as announced by the province of Trento. The investigation into the cause of death was carried out by the Trentino Forestry Corps, which was alerted after the animal’s radio collar was activated.
Cause of death is still unclear
The rescue took place on Thursday because the place where the animal died was difficult to access. An initial examination of the carcass did not allow conclusions to be drawn regarding the cause of death.
The death of the bear sparked protests from animal protection associations in Trentino. Animal protection association ENPA criticized the “animal killing policy” of Trentino governor Maurizio Fugatti, who issued the order to capture and kill F36. F36 is the second bear after M62 to be found dead in as many months. “We are waiting for the Judiciary to carry out the necessary investigations, but it is difficult, very difficult, to think about an accident,” said ENPA spokesperson, Carla Rocchi.
The report must be sent
The association announced that it is preparing a complaint about the animal’s slaughter, which will be presented in the next few hours. “I appeal to the sense of responsibility of politicians, ranchers, farmers and associations: let’s tone it down and end the war against bears, wolves and all wild animals. a truly irreparable biocide”, says Rocchi.
The decomposing carcass of M62 was found in May. It was one of the specimens classified as “problematic”. M62 belonged to the same litter as M57, captured in 2020 after an attack on a carabineer in the municipality of Andalo, and F43, a female that died in September 2022 due to an incorrect dose of anesthesia during capture to replace the radio collar.
Increase in problems
In Italy, the debate over the coexistence of bears and humans has reached a fever pitch in Italy since the death of a runner from Trentino. In April, Andrea Papi, 26, was found dead on a forest path in the municipality of Caldes, in a valley (Val di Sole) popular with hikers and tourists. A bear, known by the code JJ4, which had already attracted attention several times, killed the man. She is the sister of the “problem bear” Bruno, who was shot dead in Bavaria in 2006. The bear has already been captured and is in the animal protection center in Casteller, near Trento.
According to the province, the number of bears in the area has increased enormously since the start of the EU “Life Ursus” project. Instead of the expected 50, around 100 wild animals settled.