An Italian bear that became famous
for daring raids to get food and was one of the symbols of the
Abruzzo region was hit by a car on a state highway in a national
park and killed Monday.
The rare Marsican brown bear, named Juan Carrito after a village
in the park, had become an icon due to his familiar ways with
humans and by exploits such as breaking into a biscuit factory.
Juan, a large (150kg) animal, also pillaged chicken coops,
rubbish containers and pastry shop bins during his frequent
incursions into human habitats.
He was recently re-released into the wild in a bid to curb his
rampant foraging, and had settled in the Maiella area.
But a car hit him full-on on state highway 17 near Castel di
Sangro and ended his daring deeds on Monday afternoon.
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