After a bear attacked a jogger in Italy and another animal attacked several sheep in Upper Bavaria, the debate about how to deal with these wild animals has flared up again in Germany. CSU regional group head Alexander Dobrindt has now clearly spoken out in favor of shooting down dangerous bears in Germany.
“You have to pay a lot of attention to the behavior of the bears. In case of doubt, the following must apply in densely populated areas: Man comes before the bear,” he told the newspapers of the Funke media group. “So taking and relocating bears should be the norm rather than the exception.”
Dobrindt emphasized: “At the latest since the fatal incident in South Tyrol, where a bear killed a jogger, it has been obvious that wolves and bears can also pose a deadly threat to humans.” Therefore, in densely populated areas such as Germany, one should deal with wolves and bears much more restrictively than is currently the case.
We will have escalating problems with an increasing number of wolves in Germany. Something similar can threaten with bears.
Alexander DobrindtCSU regional group leader
The CSU politician warned: “We will have escalating problems with an increasing number of wolves in Germany. Something similar can threaten with bears.”
When it comes to wolves, Dobrindt says he has an unmistakable position: “The wolf belongs in the zoo and not in the pasture. That’s why we need a different approach to wolf hunting than is currently the case.” Wolves could be dangerous to humans and are a significant threat to livestock. “That’s why I support the shooting down of wolves.”
Before the weekend, the authorities in Upper Bavaria had asked hikers and ski tourers to be more careful after brown bear tracks had been discovered again, as the agency epd reported. The Bavarian State Office for the Environment explained that anyone who is in the great outdoors should observe the rules of conduct when dealing with wild animals.
On Friday afternoon, “a footprint of a bear in the snow” was again documented in the Austrian border area of the districts of Rosenheim and Miesbach. It cannot be determined whether the track belongs to the bear that killed three sheep in the Rosenheim district on Wednesday.
So far, the bear has been inconspicuous towards humans. Nevertheless, people should be vigilant when engaging in leisure activities in the foothills of the Alps. If you meet a bear, you should remain calm, keep your distance and draw the animal’s attention to you by speaking calmly and moving your arms slowly. “Don’t run and don’t try to scare the bear away,” is the recommendation.
In Italy, “Bruno’s” sister killed a jogger
Earlier this month, a jogger was attacked and killed by a female bear in Trentino, northern Italy. The bear JJ4, also known as Gaia, is the sister of the “problem bear” Bruno, who was killed in Bavaria in 2006. The attack on the 26-year-old man had also triggered a heated debate in Trentino. It is estimated that around 100 bears live there.
According to a report by the dpa agency, the local Ministry of the Environment is now looking abroad for accommodation for bears from Trentino.
Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin wanted to “initiate the necessary talks at diplomatic level to enable the bears to be resettled,” the ministry said on Saturday.
A round table has been set up to reduce the bear population in the area. For example, a maximum number of animals should be determined. The Ministry spoke of the necessary “management of an emergency”. The minister had previously spoken out against the killing of the “problem bear” JJ4.
After the deadly attack, Fugatti had ordered the animal to be killed. After a lawsuit by animal rights activists, a court suspended the shooting order. A court hearing on the fate of 17-year-old Bärin is scheduled for May 11. The animal, which is estimated to weigh around 150 kilograms, was captured around two weeks after the attack and is in a game reserve. (lem)
