(see related story) Culling cannot be the only answer to the problem of coexistence between bears and humans in the northern autonomous province of Trento said Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto on Tuesday in response to the news that an'overfriendly' bear tagged as M90 had been put down.
"Bear culling cannot be the only alternative," said Pichetto.
"If what has been done so far with the province of Trento has not been sufficient, the commitment - on the part of everyone - must be to multiply efforts to find every possible solution to guarantee peaceful coexistence in the territories," he added.
"I have once again mobilized all the structures under the auspices of the ministry to draw up a timely strategy in which culturing should really be the last resort," said Pichetto.
On Tuesday Trento Governor Maurizio Fugatti ordered the culling of M90 on grounds of frequent sighting near homes and built-up areas and reports that it had deliberately followed people.
Pichetto first intervened on the issue last year amid an outcry from environmentalists and animal rights groups following an order - subsequently suspended in the courts - to cull a bear that killed 26-year-old trail runner Andrea Papi in Trentino in April.
On that occasion he said 'problematic' animals should be transferred to a safe place rather than be put down.
He also requested the involvement of animal rights' associations in drawing up a plan to manage the local bear population in the area.
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