The fate of problem bear “JJ4” aka “Gaia”, who was caught on Tuesday killing a 26-year-old jogger in Trentino, northern Italy, split Italy two weeks ago. As 63 mayors of municipalities in Trentino join the call of provincial governor Maurizio Fugatti to kill the bear, celebrities have launched a campaign to save “Gaia”.
The bear was caught with a large pipe trap by the Trentino Forestry Authority on Monday evening and then placed in an electrically secured enclosure at the Casteller Animal Shelter in the province of Trentino. There is another problem with “M49”. Known as the escape king, Papillon had killed cattle on several occasions and even managed to slip off his transmitter collar. He had also escaped from the animal shelter twice.
A court will decide what happens to “Gaia”.
What will happen to “Gaia” is unclear, her life was rather on the cutting edge. Because the province of Trento ordered the killing of the animal two weeks ago after the fatal attack on the jogger. But the administrative court in Trento overturned the shooting order after animal welfare organizations appealed. According to the decree, the order was initially suspended until May 11. Then comes a court hearing to determine the fate of the bear.
Trentino governor Fugatti says he wants to keep working to ensure the court releases the bear to be shot. 63 mayors of Trentino municipalities joined his call to kill the bear. “Aggressive and dangerous bears must be killed,” the letter reads.
Mayors see damage to tourism
The mayors are calling for the development of long-term solutions for bear habitat management and community involvement, and for a review of the Life Ursus project, the European strategy for the reintroduction of brown bears in the Alps. Local leaders also complain about problems for tourism. Several planned holidays in Val di Sole in Trentino, where the jogger died, have already been cancelled. The damage to tourism is great.
The opinion of animal rights activists is different: they criticize the plans to kill the bear and advocate the construction of wildlife corridors and sensitization of the population in dealing with wild animals. The bears are part of the Alps. You should try to live together. Animal protection LAV demanded that “JJ4” be housed abroad. The WWF has criticized Governor Fugatti, saying it is “short-sighted and ideological” to continue proposing to remove dozens of bears. This would turn the clock back more than 50 years.
“putting the bear down would be crazy”
Celebrities also joined the call of animal rights activists. Among them is the actress Ornella Muti. “There are many organizations that can bring the bear to safety. It would be really crazy to euthanize her,” said the actress, who took part in an anti-hunting demonstration in Rome last Saturday with her daughter Naike Rivelli. A group of parliamentarians sent a request to Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, demanding that “JJ4” not be killed.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
