Around 150 animal rights activists gathered on Sunday in Sabbionara di Avio in Trento province in Italy to protest against the measures for capturing and killing bears who are seen as problematic.
The protesters targeted Maurizio Fugatti, the president of the Autonomous Province of Trento, for signing measures leading to the killing of bears, including JJ4 (Gaia), MJ5, and M62. Sadly, the body of M62 was discovered on Sunday by hikers; it’s not known who or what killed the bear. Protestors gathered near Fugatti’s house in Sabbionara di Avio.
JJ4 and other bears, such as M49 (Papillon), are locked up at Casteller center. The situation has become critical for JJ4 as she faces another death sentence, Italian animal welfare organization LAV said.
JJ4, a 17-year-old female bear, was captured and imprisoned in the Casteller di Trento facility, leaving her three cubs alone in the wild. The order to kill her, issued by the Province of Trento, was suspended until May 11 after LAV challenged the decision.
When LAV discovered that on April 27, a new order to kill JJ4 was issued, they immediately appealed to block it and arrange for the bear to be taken to a safe place. A petition to save the bear has been signed almost 152 thousand times.
The Autonomous Province of Trento reintroduced bears from Slovenia using European funds but has been criticized for not understanding the bears’ characteristics and promoting peaceful coexistence.
LAV takes legal action against decisions that could result in bear killings and advocates for knowledge and good behavioral practices to prevent conflicts and accidents.
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