A bear attack on a French tourist in Italy’s northern province of Trentino has reignited questions about the dangers posed by the mammals.
The attack occurred in the area of Naroncolo, just north of Lake Garda, and resulted in the 43-year-old victim being airlifted to a hospital in Trento, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to reports.
Following the attack, Trento provincial governor Maurizio Fugatti issued a contested culling order for the bear, which was carried out by forestry authorities earlier this week amid fierce criticism from animal rights groups, as well as from Italy’s Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin.
The animal was described as a “dangerous specimen” believed to have been involved in “at least seven interactions with humans”.
There has been fierce debate over the presence of bears in Trentino since April 2023, when a jogger was killed by a bear while running on a woodland path close to the village of Caldes.
The bear thought responsible, known as JJ4, is set to be sent to a reserve in Germany in the coming weeks after an initial culling order was withdrawn amid protests that the animal was in fact innocent.
Authorities had ordered JJ4 to be put down in 2020, after two hikers were attacked, but that order had been overturned by a court.
JJ4 was then fitted with a radio collar instead so she could be tracked, but the battery on the device ran flat and was never replaced.
These high profile incidents, plus others than have not made headlines, have once again raised questions about the challenges and dangers of bears living in areas of the country where humans are also frequenting.
Where are Italy’s bears?
Following extinction concerns, an EU-funded wildlife conservation programme allowed 50 bears to be reintroduced in Italy in the years between 1996 and 2004. Since then, their number is thought to have risen to around 100.
Italy’s bears are concentrated in three areas of the country: the Trentino-Alto Adige region, the central and eastern Alps (on the border between Friuli Venezia Giulia and Slovenia), and the central Apennines, mostly inside the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise.
Bears’ habitat lies in woodlands and forested zones where they can find refuge, food and quiet.
It’s not uncommon however for them to migrate to high-altitude grasslands or valley floors.
What types of bears live in Italy?
There are two main species of Italian bears.
The alpine brown bear (Ursus arctos), which is the most common, followed by the Marsican brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus).
How many bears does Italy have?
In 2022 data was collected based on direct observation of female brown bears and their cubs, recorded on video, as well as from images caught on camera traps, and to a lesser extent on genetic data gathered.
According to the resulting Large Carnivore Report by the Autonomous Province of Trento, it’s estimated that there are just under 100 brown bears in northern Italy, and an estimated 50 Marsican bears in the central part of the peninsulas.
What are the chances of coming across a bear in Italy?
Bears are normally shy creatures, so sightings are not that commonplace. However, as the populations grow and humans encroach on bears’ natural habitats, we see bears wandering down into towns and villages to search for food in dumpsters and backyard vegetable gardens.
With these migrations, bears become more comfortable around humans, increasing the potential for bear-to-human contact.
The risk of engagement with a bear increases further for those hiking and jogging in remote wilderness areas where female bears typically raise their clubs.
Animal rights groups insist bears normally keep their distance from people and it is up to local authorities to ensure that people are kept away from zones where female bears are raising their cubs.
Are they dangerous?
Yes. Bears are large carnivores, capable of harm.
But, as the regional authority in Trentino explains, they generally “only attack if they are surprised or provoked”.
“Bears do not consider humans as potential prey, but fear them and keep distance.”
Keep in mind too that female bears have strong maternal instincts and will protect their offspring at all costs.
What to do I do if I see a bear?
The first rule is to prevent encounters in the first place.
If you’re hiking in the woods, the advice is to tread “noisily” – walking on dead leaves and branches, singing or whistling – anything to gently warn bears of your presence.
Stay on paths and keep your dog on a leash.
Never feed the bears and consider carrying anti-bear spray.
If you see a bear from a distance, stay calm and back away slowly without making any sudden movements. If you spot a cub, never, ever get near them. Carefully and calmly go back the way you came.
In the event of a perceived attack, the advice is to lie down on the ground and play ‘dead’, interlocking your fingers on the back of your neck and shield your head with your arms. This sends the message you are not a danger.
Do not shout, run (unless you are feet from your car or a building), hit, or throw anything at the bear.
Bears are excellent climbers so do not run up a tree.
You can find more advice on what you should do in the case of a bear encounter on the Trentino regional authority’s website.
In the event of a bear sighting, you’re advised to immediately contact Trentino’s 24-hour emergency number for large carnivores at +39 335 7705966.
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