Bear found dead between Scanno and Rocca Pia, what happened? The hypothesis of a fatal fight

SCANNO The anti-poison dog teams of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park are searching the area where the carcass of a specimen of Marsican brown bear was found, looking for any poisoned bait. We are talking about the locality “Montagna Spaccata”, located in the contiguous area of ​​the Park, within the Chiarano-Sparvera Regional State Forest. This portion of territory was assigned to the Park a few years ago by the Regional Council, with funding aimed at ensuring the best management of the assets. The activity of the park rangers is part of the operational investigation protocol, which is activated when the death of a protected animal occurs. In this case, the carcass of the male plantigrade, about 10 years old, found near a picnic area, between the municipalities of Scanno and Rocca Pia, from an initial inspection, did not show gunshot holes. According to the Pnalm body, some symmetrical holes make one think more of a competition between bears during the mating period. This element would also be supported by the presence of tufts of fur in the immediate vicinity. The finds were sent to ISPRA (Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) for genetic analysis, which will evaluate whether they belong to the same individual or a similar one.

If there had been a fight over a female bear, the opponent may also have been injured. In case of death from other causes, the symmetrical holes could have been caused by scavengers, such as ravens, notoriously the first to feed on dead animals, followed by foxes and wolves. The death of the animal symbol of Abruzzo would have occurred within the twenty-four hours preceding the discovery, as the eyeball had not yet collapsed. On the right side of the ear, a blood loss. “No hypothesis is excluded – comments Sammarone – and for this reason, it is necessary to wait for the tests which will be carried out on Monday morning”.
The discovery was made by Sabatino Ferrara, a 54-year-old entrepreneur residing in Rivisondoli, during an excursion in the mountains. Ferrara informed the competent authorities, bringing a patrol from the Sulmona Forestry Carabinieri Unit to the site, together with the director of the Park, Luciano Sammarone, Surveillance Service, veterinarian and technicians of the Monte Genzana Alto Gizio Reserve. As per procedure in these cases, the bear carcass was seized and taken to the Pnalm veterinary clinic in Pescasseroli. Today she will be transferred to the Zooprophylactic Institute of Teramo, where she will be subjected to necropsy examinations, which will ascertain the exact cause of death.

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