On the edge of an Italian national park, a brown bear was shot dead, which was repeatedly walking among people in villages. The animal, named Amarena (black cherry), was killed near the central Italian municipality of San Benedetto dei Marsi by a man who said he felt threatened. The Abruzzo National Park, where the bear lived, expressed regret over the death on Friday. In Italy, there is always a debate about how to deal with bears that come close to settlements.
Amarena had walked through villages several times in the past, also with her offspring. Videos of it are circulating on the internet. On Thursday, the bear was then found lifeless with gunshot wounds, as the park administration announced on Facebook. The shooter was located and stated that the bear was on his property. He shot out of fear, but didn’t want to kill the animal.
Park management said there was “no reason” for Amarena’s death. Although it has caused damage to agriculture and animal husbandry in the past, it has never become a danger to humans. “She has never caused problems for people,” the statement said. Her offspring is now being sought.
About 60 brown bears still live in the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo Lazio e Molise. A few years ago it was 100. Earlier in the year, another brown bear from Abruzzo National Park was hit by a car and fatally injured.
