The debate over the bear population in the Autonomous Region of Trentino-South Tyrol has come to a head after a 26-year-old jogger was killed in an attack by a bear in early April. It took place in an area near the village of Caldes that is popular among hikers.
A committee has also been set up to consider measures to control the expansion of the bear population in the area.
It is estimated that about a hundred bears live in the north of Italy. Bears from Slovenia were released in 1999 as part of an EU program to reintroduce the animals to the Italian Alps.
The bear that killed the jogger is currently being held at a wildlife sanctuary. The president of the province of Trent initially wanted to have the 150 kilo animal killed, but after a complaint from animal activists, a judge prevented that. The bear’s fate will be decided at a hearing on May 11.