For a proper coexistence between humans and bears in Italy, a shared action plan is both necessary and urgent, and, above all, a scientific approach that can provide serious support to policy, including the creation of a stable dialogue between institutions, experts, local communities, and stakeholders such as animal welfare associations.
This was the key takeaway from a high-level seminar held at the Italian Chamber of Deputies, organized by Vice President Sergio Costa (M5S), former Minister for the Environment and the Protection of Land and Sea, titled “For a New Strategy for Bear (Ursus arctos) Management in Italy.”
At the outset, Costa emphasized the need for a scientific and political approach to the issue. He recalled his role as former Minister of the Environment and proposed an action plan that includes continuous monitoring of the bear population, waste management, radio-collaring, and training and awareness efforts.
The conflict is between humans
Professor Paolo Ciucci, Associate at the Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin at the University of Rome La Sapienza, highlighted the complexity of coexistence between humans and bears in a densely populated country like Italy, stressing the importance of distinguishing between the bear’s impact on human activities and the social conflict that arises. “The bear – he stated – is doing its job, the conflict is between humans who, within society, have people with different values, views, and perspectives, both on the bear and on how we should manage the bear. This is crucial, it’s not just academic, because we can find solutions to mitigate the bear’s impact on our anthropic activities, but that type of intervention might have nothing to do with mitigating the conflict we face at the social level.”
He also reiterated the need for decision-making processes informed by science, inclusive, and considerate of all stakeholders.
Yes to bear spray
Renato Semenzato, a biologist working on the Life Wolf Alps EU project, presented data on the bear population in the western Alps, highlighting the concentration of animals in certain areas and the issue of waste management. For Semenzato, a scientific approach to crisis management is essential, and he proposed the use of bear spray as a tool to provide reassurance for local populations. At the same time, he stressed the need to start effectively preventing conflicts related to the presence of wolves.
“The wolf population – he said – has spread for a variety of reasons, and it’s the issue we must tackle in the near future by educating populations, providing information on how to behave. The fact that wolves are around cities is a reality, knowing how to behave is important; in fact, we believe it’s the key element. If you know how to act in a certain way, you avoid wrong behaviors that can cause problems.”
Educate, inform, document
Paola Peresin, a biologist, addressed the theme of effective scientific communication for the sustainable management of bears, emphasizing the need for clear and understandable language for all, distinguishing between domestic and wild animals, and educating the public.
This need was also shared by Walter Rizzetto (Fratelli d’Italia), deputy and President of the XI Commission of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, who stressed the importance of a stable dialogue between institutions, experts, and local communities. He also proposed strengthening monitoring activities, increasing economic resources, and using bear spray.
For Luana Zanella, leader of the Alleanza Verdi Sinistra in the Chamber of Deputies, “It is essential to take science into account, as well as those who operate on the ground: politics must absolutely rely on science to mediate the relationship between humans and the wild natural world, which also requires more knowledge to counterbalance the emotional responses it provokes. We must certainly do everything to avoid harming biodiversity.”
Confident bears: the role of the Carabinieri
Colonel Giancarlo Papitto, head of the office for projects, agreements, and environmental education at the Carabinieri’s Environmental and Agro-Food Unit, outlined the Carabinieri’s activities in combating poisoning and managing confident animals. “The Carabinieri – he stated – have taken on the task of training, organizing, and forming teams to counter confident individuals. These teams help deter animals, showing them that the relationship with humans cannot be the same as in urban environments. The animal must have the necessary fear of humans for effective coexistence.”
Papitto also announced the upcoming publication, in collaboration with Ispra, of a national protocol for identifying and managing urban-confident wolves, those animals that have excessive trust in humans. An animal will be considered confident if it approaches humans within 30 meters.
The full recording of the seminar is available here: https://webtv.camera.it/evento/27745
