Sun Sep 15 14:15:21 UTC 2024: ## Fear Grips Italian Village After Fatal Bear Attack Sparks Rewilding Debate

**Caldes, Italy:** The picturesque mountain village of Caldes in the Italian Alps is now shrouded in fear after a local jogger was mauled to death by a bear last year. This tragic incident has reignited a fierce debate surrounding a controversial rewilding project that reintroduced bears into the region.

The victim, 26-year-old Andrea Papi, was attacked while jogging in the Dolomites, sparking outrage and national debate over the wisdom of the rewilding policy. The incident pitted politicians against animal rights activists, conservationists against locals, with the bear, named JJ4, facing a “jail sentence” after being captured.

The controversy escalated further when another female bear, responsible for attacking a French tourist, was killed on the orders of the region’s governor. This sparked renewed outrage, with many questioning the effectiveness and safety of the rewilding program.

JJ4, the bear responsible for Papi’s death, was the fourth offspring of two bears released into a national park near Trento over two decades ago as part of the EU-backed “Life Ursus” project. The project, aimed at restoring the predator population, has been deemed a success, with over 120 bears now residing in the region.

However, the recent attacks have raised concerns about the lack of communication and transparency surrounding the program. Locals, including Papi’s father, Carlo, have expressed anger at the authorities for not warning residents about the presence of dangerous bears. A poll revealed that 70% of the local population now opposes the rewilding project.

Further fueling the controversy, Papi’s mother, Franca Ghirardini, has faced a barrage of hate mail and abuse on social media, with 21 complaints filed with the police. The hostility towards her and the original decision to capture JJ4 has even led to some regional government staff quitting their jobs.

While the bear’s life was spared after a court ruling deemed putting it down “disproportionate punishment,” the incident has highlighted the growing tension between conservation efforts and public safety. The debate continues, with the future of the rewilding project hanging in the balance.

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