A brown bear responsible for killing an Italian jogger in 2023 arrived at a German wildlife sanctuary Sunday morning, marking the end of a lengthy legal battle that saved the animal from execution after courts intervened following animal rights protests.
The bear, identified as JJ4 or Gaia, has been moved to a high-security facility at the Alternative Wolf and Bear Park located in Germany's Black Forest region in the southwestern part of the country. DPA confirmed the transfer was completed successfully.
A team from the park accompanied Gaia as she arrived in Germany at 6:00 a.m. (0400 GMT), according to DPA. Her transport from Italy proceeded without complications, staff members confirmed. "She is receiving care, has consumed food and is displaying calm behavior," officials stated.
She first remained in the transport container she traveled in and will spend additional hours there before venturing out to examine the area designated for her residence, following veterinary recommendations, a park spokesperson told DPA.
Gaia received sedation prior to her departure from Italy to facilitate her placement into the transport container, but the group only began their journey after she had recovered consciousness, DPA reported.
During the morning hours, the park intended to attempt releasing the bear into a temporary enclosure within the facility grounds. Based on her emotional condition, the team planned to allow Gaia access to the larger high-security enclosure later during the day, according to DPA.
The bear struck and killed a jogger on a frequented mountain trail in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige during April 2023, DPA reported.
The animal was seized and transported to a containment facility near Trento city. Regional president Maurizio Fugatti issued orders for Gaia's execution, but judicial authorities halted the decree following petitions from animal rights advocates, according to DPA.
Gaia was scheduled for transfer to Germany during 2024, but construction of the €1 million ($1.1 million) enclosure, financed through charitable contributions, encountered substantial delays caused by heavy rainfall in the mountainous, forested landscape, DPA reported. The timing of her relocation from Italy remained confidential initially due to concerns about potential demonstrations, according to DPA.
Jurka, Gaia's mother, has resided at the animal sanctuary since 2010, DPA confirmed. Gaia will also receive a new name, since a wolf at the sanctuary shares the same designation. "We don't want to display her as a 'killer bear,'" the spokesperson explained to DPA.
The area where the bear will reside remains hidden from public view and features electric fencing, camera monitoring and anti-digging barriers to prevent her escape, DPA reported.
