A 43-year-old French tourist has been hospitalized after being attacked by a bear while jogging in northern Italy on Tuesday, according to local authorities. The incident occurred in Naroncolo, near the municipality of Dro, just north of Lake Garda.
The tourist was quickly assisted by medical personnel and airlifted to Santa Chiara Hospital in Trento with injuries to his limbs. Thankfully, his life is not in danger.
Forestry officials are currently investigating the attack. The region of Trentino is home to approximately 100 bears, according to provincial authorities.
This incident raises concerns, particularly in light of a tragic bear attack in April 2023, where a jogger was killed on a woodland path. That event sparked discussions about the risks posed by bears, which were reintroduced to the area between 1996 and 2004. Although only 50 bears were initially planned for reintroduction, their numbers have since increased.
The female bear accused of killing the jogger — whom campaigners said was innocent — was separated from her cubs after the incident and taken to an enclosure.
After numerous appeals from animal rights activists, provincial authorities announced in May that the bear, identified as JJ4, would be transferred to Germany later this year to a refuge near the Black Forest.
