Animals - Construction for Italian 'Problems Solvers' is in progress
In the Black Forest Alternative Wolf- and Bear Park, a separate enclosure was built for Gaia, the problem bear from Northern Italy. A park spokesperson stated, "We are building the facility." It is still unclear when the bear from the province of Trentino will arrive. Ongoing talks are reportedly taking place. Gaia had attacked and killed a 26-year-old jogger in Italy in April of the previous year.
This week, the Trentino provincial government announced that Gaia should be relocated to the bear reservation by autumn. The park spokesperson in the Black Forest was cautious about the timeframe and referred to the challenging terrain for construction. He initially remained silent about the planned size.
Gaia will not be displayed
Those hoping to see the animal, also known as JJ4, in the Schwarzwald soon may be disappointed: Gaia will not be shown to female and male visitors of the Park in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach (Freudenstadt district). "It's a wildlife protection action," explained the spokesperson. "We don't want to put the animal on display and don't want to promote attraction tourism."
Bear and Human
Since the fatal incident in April 2023, the provincial government and animal welfare activists have been at odds over Regional President Maurizio Fugatti in court regarding the bear's fate. The province ordered the bear to be hunted. Courts halted the decree following emergency applications from animal welfare activists. JJ4 was captured alive and temporarily housed in a pen near Trento. Since then, there has been a heated debate in Italy about the coexistence of bears and humans in the forests of the popular province among tourists and hikers.
Even Brother Bruno caused issues
In the Alternative Wolf- and Bear Park in the Black Forest, there are animals rescued from distress. Among them is Jurka, Gaia's mother. Gaia's brother Bruno was the first bear to set paws on German soil in the summer of 2006. He was shot in the Bavarian Rotwand region.
The Alternative Wolf- and Bear Park in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is known for housing rescued animals. Gaia's mother, Jurka, is one such animal. (Black Forest, Jurka)
The Black Forest Alternative Wolf- and Bear Park is preparing an enclosure for Gaia, the problem bear from Trentino, Italy. (Black Forest, Gaia, Trentino)
Despite ongoing talks, the exact arrival date of Gaia from Northern Italy's Trentino province is yet to be confirmed. (Gaia, Trentino, arrival date)
The planned size of the enclosure for Gaia in the Black Forest Alternative Wolf- and Bear Park has not been disclosed by the park spokesperson. (Gaia, enclosure, Black Forest, spokesperson)
The Italian province of Trentino and animal welfare activists have been embroiled in a court dispute over Gaia's fate since her attack on a jogger in April 2023. (Gaia, Trentino, court dispute, attack)
