THEn many cases, such as F36 and the last two bears found dead yesterday in Val di Non, we are still waiting to know the results of the necropsy investigations. «But what emerges clearly», according to the WWF“is that bear management in Trentino is showing major shortcomings on the part of the Autonomous Province of Trento (PAT)”. Shortcomings that are serious the future of this symbolic and charismatic species, the heritage of all citizens, in the Alps is at risk.
«The massacre of bears in Trentino», the WWF complaint. In 6 months 7 have died
From the end of April 2023 to today, in less than 6 months, they have been in the Province of Trento 7 dead bears found, more than one per month. What the animal rights association defines as “a real massacre” has affected approximately 7% of the entire population of brown bears in Trentino (currently estimated at around 100 individuals). And the numbers are probably off since it is not certain that all the dead animals have been found.
Between alarmism and abatement orders
The mortality rate of bears is, according to the WWF, too high to be totally traced back to natural dynamics. The suspicion is that there are serious responsibilities. On the one hand, the alarmist campaigns against this carnivore. «Psychological terrorism is being practiced and this causes an increase in poaching», denounces the WWF. Also thanks to the continuous proposals for changes (obviously negatively) of the Italian and regional legislation on the protection of fauna.
«The climate of impunity linked to “political cover” that some political forces are guaranteeing to hunters/poachersthe lack of enforcement actions and regulatory uncertainty are causing a situation that is completely out of control”, continues the WWF.
But the local administration also has its responsibilities, for «the compulsive emanation of oordinances aimed at capturing and killing bears (but also of wolves)”. Thanks to the appeals of WWF Italy and other environmental associations, these ordinances have always been rejected by administrative justice either at the TAR or at the Council of State.
The coexistence between man and bear in the Alps. How you do it?
The topic is serious and important: the coexistence between man and bear, as the WWF has underlined several times, must be addressed in a different way, following the indications that the scientific world has given and continues to give. Of course it cannot be carried forward on the emotional and political wave. Instead, a rational approach that guarantees is needed the dissemination of correct knowledge about this species and good behavioral practices to be followed in an area where large carnivores are present.
Something was moving in April, on the emotional wave of Andrea Papi’s death. The Ministry of the Environment convened a series of hearings in which environmental associations also participated. It seemed that he wanted to take a proactive role in bear management in Trentino. But those first steps were not followed up.
The WWF road map to change the fate of bears
What actions should be implemented, therefore, according to the WWF? First of all, an enhancement of information, awareness and communication activities in the areas where bears are present. Then the application of an effective sanctioning system for those who do not respect the essential rules of behavior so as not to disturb the species and avoid the onset of problematic behaviour. Then the implementation of actions of prevention of confidence behaviors in bearsin order to reduce the possibility of aggressive bear-human interactions.
Ecological connectivity to save large carnivores
But also the revision of the guidelines of PACOBACE (Interregional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Brown Bear in the Central-Eastern Alps) for the management of confident, problematic and/or harmful bears. Improving “ecological connectivity”: the objective is the identification of ecological corridors to facilitate the dispersion of bears between the current range of the Province of Trento and the potential range along the Alpine arc.
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