The Italian province passes a law to kill eight bears a year. Trump cannot be excluded from primaries

The state parliament of the northern Italian province of Trentino has approved a controversial law allowing the killing of up to eight bears per year. After hours of debate, MPs approved the bill on Monday evening, which the state government says serves to curb the bear population in the region popular with holidaymakers. In Trentino there are always unwanted encounters between people and bears in the forests of the mountainous area.

Provincial President Maurizio Fugatti of the right-wing League party could have already ordered the shooting of ‘problem bears’ – albeit with bureaucratic hurdles. The new law makes it easier for the president to approve up to eight problematic and dangerous animals for shooting. Of the maximum eight per year, only two adult females, two adult males and four juveniles are allowed. This maximum quota applies to the years 2024 and 2025.

The bear population in Trentino has continued to grow in recent years. It is currently estimated that there are approximately 100 adult brown bears living there. The last estimate in 2022 was 85. Incidents occur again and again. In April last year, a young jogger was attacked and killed by the bear JJ4, known as Gaia. Since then, the debate about the bears has flared up.

The calls for the killing of ‘problem bears’ became louder after the sensational incident. However, animal protection organizations were against this. In view of the new law, the tone has become more tense. Fugatti and other provincial representatives are now being threatened – sometimes with death. And Forest Service and Wildlife Service employees also receive threatening phone calls and letters.

Scores of supporters of animal protection organizations gathered Monday during the debate in front of the state parliament in Trento and protested against the law. Activists spread a banner in the public gallery inside and tried to disrupt the debate.

Bears approaching towns and people in the forest are considered problematic. Bears are considered dangerous after attacks or so-called mock attacks that serve as a deterrent. Authorities have created 18 categories to evaluate the animals’ behavior. However, the new law should not be applied in such a way that the maximum quota must necessarily be met. It must be decided on a case by case basis. (sda/dpa)