A recent sighting of a mother bear with three cubs has captured the attention of residents of Lake Garda, specifically in Arco, above the village of Varignano. The footage, captured by garden cameras and later shared on social media by Mayor Alessandro Betta, shows the three cubs followed by their mother.
Bear encounters with residents are not isolated events in Trentino. Sightings have become increasingly frequent, raising concerns among local residents. Recently, similar cases have also been reported in Val di Sole, including one in the center of Malé. These incidents have led authorities to consider new measures to ensure public safety.
The management of the bear population in Trentino is currently being discussed at the ministerial level. Last Tuesday in Rome, a meeting took place between Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and the President of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Maurizio Fugatti. During the meeting, Fugatti emphasized the urgency of the situation and proposed extending the use of bear spray beyond the forestry corps.
“We discussed the possibility of expanding the use of bear spray not only to the forestry corps but also to all bodies of the Civil Protection and law enforcement,” Fugatti said. He added that “Italian law considers the spray a weapon,” so any changes will require further discussions with the Ministry of the Interior.
Fugatti highlighted that the number of bears in the region is higher than initial predictions, creating growing concern among citizens. “The recent cases in Caldes and Malé have further raised the level of fear among the population,” Fugatti said. He also stated that institutions must act to ensure the safety of citizens despite the understandable difficulties outside Trentino.
In conclusion, as local authorities work to find appropriate solutions to the bear issue in Trentino, attention remains high on the safe management of wildlife in the Lake Garda region.
Italian Version
