Order to kill bear over attack on tourist suspended

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - The Trento Regional Administrative Court on Friday suspended an order for a female bear suspected of attacking and injuring a French tourist in Trentino this week to be killed, said Leal, one of the animal rights groups that presented a legal challenge.
    The 43-year-old man was taken to hospital with injuries to his arms and legs after being attacked on Tuesday while out on a run at Naroncolo, near the town of Dro.
    Autonomous Province of Trento President Maurizio Fugatti issued an order for the animal suspected of the attack, KJ1, to be eliminated.
    A 26-year-old trail runner was killed by a bear he accidentally ran into in Trentino last year.
    The bear identified as being behind that fatal attack, JJ4, was captured and the authorities ordered it be put down, but legal action by animal rights groups prevented this and it is set to be transferred to a reserve outside Italy.
    Tuesday's attack comes less than a week after a Swiss woman and her three children had a close encounter with a bear and at least one cub while out for a walk in the area of Lake Molveno.
    In March the provincial authorities approved a decree authorizing the culling of up to eight 'problematic' bears a year in 2024 and 2025, after the animals' numbers grew significantly following their reintroduced to the area between 1996 and 2004, but animal rights groups have launched challenges. (ANSA).