Deadly Attack on Jogger: Problem Bear JJ4 has been captured

After the fatal attack on a jogger in northern Italy, the wild bear JJ4 has been captured, according to the province of Trentino.

The animal was found at night in the area around the forests of the area, the province reports Tuesday morning. Trentino-Alto Adige regional president Maurizio Fugatti wanted to comment on the details at a later date.

A 26-year-old jogger was attacked and killed by the bear in early April in the Caldes commune of Trentino, in a valley (Val di Sole) popular with hikers and tourists. A DNA comparison confirmed this. JJ4 is the sister of the “problem bear” Bruno, who was shot dead in 2006 in the German state of Bavaria.

The county then ordered the JJ4 shot down to “preserve public safety”. However, the administrative court in Trento suspended the order last week. Animal welfare groups appealed the order.

Since the death of the Trentino jogger, the debate over the coexistence of bears and humans in Italy has intensified. The province wants to halve the number of bears in the northern Italian region. She also advocated killing aggressive bears. According to media reports, several mayors from the region around the Val di Sole have recently campaigned for a tough approach.

Animal rights activists, on the other hand, criticize the plans and advocate the construction of wildlife corridors or public awareness of how to deal with wildlife. (sda/dpa)