(ANSA) – ROME, OCTOBER 17 – “Bears act like bears because they act instinctively, it is we humans who have to take the necessary measures to live with them safely. If the conditions have been created for the occurrence of dangerous situations, with episodes , whose dynamics are still to be ascertained in detail, is only due to decades-long administrative inertia which has not immediately implemented the provisions necessary to support coexistence and prevent conflicts, such as the creation of wildlife corridors to allow the expansion of areas available, the planting of fruit trees in areas far from the inhabited area or the immediate supply of anti-bear bins for the collection of organic waste, as well as adequate information and education”. M5S senator Elena Sironi said this in the Chamber of Palazzo Madama during the question time with the Minister of the Environment Pichetto Fratin.
“Currently – she added – incorrect human behavior is not being discouraged, such as the placement of poisoned bait, poaching, car chases and selfies with bears. I have been to the Alpine fauna recovery center in Casteller, where the two bears ‘JJ4’ and ‘M49’ and I verified the unsuitability of the place: too narrow spaces, absent natural stimuli, punitive and penalizing conditions far from having a rehabilitative value”. “Nor can it be a solution to transfer the bears to ‘zoo parks’ which would cause enormous suffering to the wild animals. So why not finance projects that go in the direction of supporting coexistence and preventing conflicts? Because the government does not make funds available to create or restore wildlife corridors in areas far from the inhabited area? In the reform of the Highway Code I proposed an amendment on this, but it seems there are no funds. Yet – he continued – it would be a modest investment that would guarantee greater safety for citizens a technical table, involving local authorities, environmental associations and all the categories involved, to find common points of failure and take action with what is truly necessary and useful, rather than making small talk leaving room for ‘do it yourself’ justice with wild poaching and poisoned bait.” (HANDLE).