A bear named Amarena, who was captured on film walking through an Italian village with her two cubs just days ago, has been tragically shot dead. The heartwarming footage of the ursine family strolling through the town garnered attention from dozens of tourists and bystanders. However, shortly after their public appearance, Amarena’s lifeless body was discovered in a garden on the outskirts of the village.
The regional president Marco Marsilio expressed shock at the shooting, noting that these bears have never exhibited aggression towards humans in the area. An unidentified man claimed responsibility for the act, stating that he fired out of fear but did not intend to kill the bear.
Gemma Di Pietro, who captured and shared the initial scene on Facebook, described how she alerted local authorities about seeing Amarena and her cubs trying to navigate their way across roads to safety. Disturbed by what transpired afterwards, she questioned why such an act had occurred when it was clear that Amarena was frightened.
Officials have now launched a search for the missing cubs using drones within nearby regional parks. The incident has sparked outrage among both locals and conservationists alike. President Marco Marsilio condemned this “incomprehensible gesture” and placed his trust in law enforcement agencies to bring justice to those responsible.
Amarena belonged to a population of approximately 60 Marsican brown bears residing in Italy’s Abruzzo region. These brown bears can reach weights up to 210kg (462 lbs) for adults and measure around 180cm (5’11”) long.
This unfortunate event follows another incident earlier this year where a bear attacked and killed a jogger in Trento—a case initially calling for euthanasia but later overturned by court ruling.
Italy is also grappling with animal cruelty issues as police investigate video footage depicting youths kicking a goat to death on a farm near Rome. If found guilty, the perpetrators could face up to 18 months in jail and a maximum fine of £15,413.
The National Park of Abruzzo, where Amarena resided, expressed deep sorrow over her loss and emphasized that despite occasional damage caused by bears to agricultural activities, Amarena had never posed any problems for humans. The incident is seen as a significant blow to the bear population in the region and has generated widespread condemnation for its senseless nature.
