Bear KJ1 was dangerous: lawful killing

The high level of danger posed by KJ1 justified its felling, ordered by the president of the Province of Trento. The Council of State has thus rejected the appeal lodged by an animal-rights association against the judgement of the Regional Administrative Tribunal that had deemed the removal decree legitimate. The judges of Palazzo Spada denied compensation to the association, considering that "no damage had been proven" and also confirming "the full legitimacy of the decree in view of the thorough investigation carried out by the administration and the ample reasoning provided in support".

In the judgement it was recognised that 'the provincial administration had amply demonstrated the high danger of the specimen, classified at the highest level of the Pacobace (Interregional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Brown Bear in the Central-Eastern Alps, ndr) and acted in accordance with the principle of proportionality. In fact, culling was considered the only suitable measure to guarantee public safety in a short time, unlike capture and detention, which would have exposed the population to further risks".

The governor Maurizio Fugatti, commenting on the ruling, said: "We express our satisfaction for the Council of State's recognition of the correctness of the Autonomous Province of Trento's administrative action, based on in-depth preliminary assessments and oriented primarily to the protection of public safety and security.

For Provincial Councillor for Forestry, Hunting and Fisheries, Roberto Failoni: 'The responsibility and thoroughness that underpin the administration's work in wildlife management is confirmed, with a focus on the protection of people and the territory in the first place.

The KJ1 was killed on 30 July 2024, about two weeks after it attacked a 43-year-old French tourist at Naroncolo, in the municipality of Dro, Trentino.