Alto Garda Sets Bear Deterrents Amid Rising Population in Park
The bears of the Adamello Brenta Park had already taken a few excursions near Garda before hibernating. Now, after awakening hungry, they should make an effort to find food somehow. They could do so with little regard for private properties where they search for sustenance. That is why, in recent days, the Alto Garda Park Mountain Community has initiated a measure reminiscent of the Yogi Bear cartoons, but which actually solves a concrete problem for local farmers: the installation of electrified nets to keep bears at a safe distance. These are low-voltage electric fences: harmless to animals, but effective in preventing disasters to human properties.
The number of bears, in fact, continues to increase: two more young females were recently released into the Adamello Brenta Park, from which, for these animals, reaching the upper Garda area is not difficult, as they demonstrated last autumn. With this, the reintroduction has reached a total of seven bears: two males and five females. Three additional bears are believed to be of local origin, bringing the total to ten specimens in the nearby Trentino region, potentially involving the mountain territories of the bordering provinces, starting with ours.
This repopulation initiative is part of the project «Ursus: Protection of the Brown Bear Population in the Brenta», funded by the European Union. Regarding this situation and any potential problems for residents of Alto Garda, the Environment Councillor of the Comunità Montana Parco dell’Alto Garda – Alessandro Andreatta – has announced measures aimed at prevention and compensation for damages caused by bears.
Andreatta mentions about 2-3 bears that regularly frequent our territory. Among these, the most persistent are a male bear (Masun) and his female companion, Daniza. “Specifically, Masun,” explains the Councillor, “has already returned to the Val di Ledro, while Daniza roams between the Brenta Dolomites and Riva del Garda. Consequently, further visits by these two animals around our area are considered quite likely.”
The Mountain Community has issued a call for the installation of electrified enclosures to protect beehives, and has made available a fund for covering potential bear damages, which will not be reimbursed through the insurance policies already held by the Adamello Brenta Park and the Adamello Park. The deadline for applications concerning the installation of fences has been extended: the new deadline is 12:00 PM on May 25th.
The consultancy work for the Community Park (damage prevention measures, damage recognition) is entrusted to a naturalist expert: Stefano Mayr. Both the regulation tender and the construction scheme for damage prevention works are available for viewing at the offices of the Comunità Montana Parco, located at via Oliva 32, Villa di Gargnano.
