Environment Minister Gilberto
Pichetto Fratin Putting said Friday that he hopes a bear that
killed a man in the northern province of Trento this month can
be transferred to a safe place for it and for humans rather than
being put down.
The female animal, JJ4, killed 26-year-old trail runner Andrea
Papi on Mt Peller on April 5, making him the first Italian to be
killed by a bear in modern times.
He is thought to have run into her on a trail and she may have
reacted because she perceived a threat to her three cubs.
Trento Provincial President Maurizo Fugatti of the right-wing
League party issued an order for JJ4 to be eliminated but this
was suspended by a court pending an appeal by animal-rights
groups, and a final court ruling is expected May 11.
The bear was captured this week and taken to an animal centre,
pending the court decision.
"We are trying to find transfer solutions between now and May
11," Pichetto Fratin, who indicated this week that animal should
be euthanised, told Rai radio.
"I hope it is possible to find a transfer somewhere. Putting it
down is not a solution".
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