Bear mother Amarena shot dead in Italy, park rangers are looking for her cubs

A famous bear mother has been shot dead in Italy. Amarena, a brown bear who regularly roamed villages in Abruzzo with her two cubs, was shot dead by a 56-year-old man on Thursday evening. The man has been arrested, but his motive is still unclear.

Amarena was one of the most prolific bears in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. She had already raised several cubs and was a welcome guest in the villages in the area.

Amarena's death has caused many reactions in Italy. Many people are angry and sad about the incident. They believe that Amarena was wrongly shot.

Amarena was an 'ambassador' for nature

Amarena was a popular resident of Abruzzo. She was often spotted by tourists and locals, and she became a symbol of the coexistence between humans and animals in the area.

“Amarena was an ambassador for nature,” says Andrea Di Marco, a conservationist in Abruzzo. 'She taught people that bears are not scary, but that they are just animals that deserve their own place in nature.'

Bear debate flares up

Amarena's death is once again causing controversy in the debate about coexistence between humans and animals in Italy. It was a few months ago a jogger killed in northern Italy by a bear. Local authorities wanted to kill the animal, but animal rights groups opposed this. The bear was eventually captured.

"Amarena's death is a tragedy," said Federica Ferrario, a spokesperson for the animal rights group WWF. "It's a sign that we still have a long way to go in learning to coexist with wild animals."

Future of cubs uncertain

The future of Amarena's two cubs is uncertain. Park rangers are still looking for the animals and hope to save them.

"We are hopeful that we can find the cubs," said a spokesperson for the Abruzzo National Park. "They're still young, but they have a good chance of survival if we can find them quickly."

Tips for living with bears

If you visit an area where bears live, it is important to follow some tips to protect yourself and the animals:

• Always keep your food and waste tightly closed.
• Don't make noise around bears.
• Always keep your distance from bears.
• If you see a bear, remain calm and do not make any movements that the bear may perceive as threatening.

Source: vrt.be