Bear attacks on the rise in Italy's Trentino region
In the northern Italian region of Trentino, there has been another bear attack on a person. A 31-year-old man was attacked while picking mushrooms alone. Fortunately, the mushroom picker managed to escape.
10:54 AM EDT, October 21, 2024
The 31-year-old municipal employee ventured into the forest near Lake Garda to collect mushrooms. According to the police, he was suddenly attacked from behind by a bear. The animal struck him several times with its paws before retreating into the thicket.
The man sustained injuries to his back and arms but was able to escape and reach a nearby village, where he alerted the authorities. The authorities now plan to identify the bear based on DNA traces and euthanize it.
The Trentino region is home to over one hundred brown bears. Although they typically avoid contact with humans, dangerous encounters are becoming more frequent. Last year, near the village of Rango, a bear injured a French tourist; the animal was later euthanized. Additionally, a 26-year-old runner died following a bear attack, and just a few days ago, a tourist was attacked while walking.
Bear attack in Italy
Experts predict that bears may soon settle in Germany as well. A female bear known as Gaia was captured alive and is set to be transferred to the Alternative Wolf and Bear Park in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach in the Black Forest, where she will find a suitable environment.
Bear attacks also occur in Slovakia, where a man was recently killed in front of his wife. In Bavaria, experts are trying to confirm reports from soldiers about the alleged presence of a bear in the Ostallgäu district. If confirmed, this would be the first such sighting since May of last year.
Specialists recommend staying calm when encountering a brown bear and retreating slowly. They also advise carrying bear spray in case of an attack and storing food in airtight, odorless containers to avoid attracting animals.
