It is suspected that a female bear known by the code Kj1, the oldest of the specimens in Trentino, attacked the 43-year-old tourist while he was jogging on Tuesday. The search is now underway for the bear. It is possible that she will be captured or shot, local media reported.
The animal injured the jogger’s legs, arms and back. The man, who managed to call for help himself, was operated on in the hospital in Trento. The wounds, which will heal in three weeks, were stitched up.
Too many bears in Trentino?
In Italy, the debate regarding the coexistence of bears and humans has become more intense since the death of a Trentino jogger in April 2023. Animal rights activists repeatedly call for people to be made aware of wild animals or for wildlife corridors to be set up. According to the province of Trento, the number of bears in the area has increased massively since the start of the EU bear resettlement project “Life Ursus” 24 years ago. Instead of the planned 50, around 100 wild animals have settled there.
