Italy's 17-Year-Old Female Brown Bear 'JJ4'
Environmental Groups Say "Regrettable but Euthanasia Not Allowed"
A young man jogging in Italy was attacked and killed by a wild brown bear. This bear had previously attacked humans, prompting authorities to urgently track the 'murder bear.'
According to BBC and DPA reports on the 12th (local time), Andrea Papi (26) was found dead on the 6th in Caldes, Trentino, Italy. Authorities found Papi's body near a forest trail after a search was conducted following a report from his family that he did not return from jogging.
The body bore deep wounds that appeared to be torn or bitten on the face, abdomen, and other areas, indicating an attack by a wild bear. DNA collected from the victim's wounds identified the attacker as a 17-year-old female brown bear named 'JJ4,' managed by the government.
JJ4 had a previous record of attacking a father and son simultaneously in a similar area in June 2020. At that time, the provincial authorities attempted to shoot JJ4, but the court intervened to prevent it.
With the same bear attacking a person again, residents are living in fear. The area where Papi was attacked while jogging is popular among locals and tourists.
The rapid increase in wild bear populations raises the likelihood of similar incidents
Recently, the wild bear population has surged sharply, increasing concerns about similar accidents. Italy released three bears into the Trentino region in the early 2000s, and thanks to continuous conservation efforts, their number has grown to 100. However, contrary to expectations, the brown bears have not expanded their habitat across the Alps and have mostly remained within the Trentino area.
Accordingly, residents view the bear population as reaching a dangerous level and argue that changes are needed in the European brown bear protection plan, 'Life for Brown Bears.'
In front of the village church where Papi’s funeral was held on the 12th, Antonio Maini, mayor of Caldes, expressed anger: "The village is outraged. Our young man has died. Although it is a mourning period, we are very angry that he died from a bear attack. This should never have happened."
Authorities are tracking JJ4 and have now decided on euthanasia. Maurizio Fugatti, governor of Trentino, said, "We are doing our best to track the bear and reassure residents."
Animal protection groups worry that such incidents could undermine previous wildlife conservation efforts. The International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA) urged a cautious response, stating, "Responsible administration should act according to biodiversity protection rules, not with a mindset of retaliation or revenge."
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