Controversial Bear Culling Sparks Outcry in Italy

Despite protests by animal rights activists, the alpine province of Trento in Italy confirmed the killing of a mother bear responsible for attacking a French hiker. The bear's death leaves her cubs vulnerable. Activists criticized the rapid execution order, citing previous legal interventions. The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding brown bear management in the region.

Despite strong protests from animal rights activists, an alpine Italian province confirmed on Tuesday the killing of a mother bear identified as Kj1, believed to be responsible for attacking a French hiker earlier this month.

Activists stated that the death of Kj1 places her three cubs in significant danger of survival. The International Organization for Animal Protection criticized the overnight order for her killing, which left no room for a legal stay.

"OIPA Italia is dismayed at the culling of Kj1, which we attempted to halt through legal actions," said Claudia Taccani, a lawyer for the organization, noting that a judge had previously suspended two kill orders to consider alternatives. "Unfortunately, this time, it was not done." The alpine province of Trento, known for its autonomy from the Italian government, has been embroiled in controversy over the culling of brown bears that are seen as increasingly bold around human areas in recent years.

A DNA analysis confirmed that Kj1 was responsible for attacking the French hiker. "Kj1 was a dangerous specimen," stated the province, citing a threat scale for bears. "The bear was found to be responsible for at least seven interactions with humans," including the recent attack on the 43-year-old hiker in Dro, north of Garda Lake.

Reports indicate that the hiker had strayed off the path at approximately 500 meters altitude during an early morning hike, encountering the bear and sustaining injuries to his leg and arm. He managed to escape and call for assistance.

This incident marks the ninth recorded human-bear aggression since brown bears were reintroduced to the province in 1999 under a European Union project, and the first since a hiker was killed last summer.

(With inputs from agencies.)