Is the slain bear still haunting Mika's mind?
In the picturesque Tyrolean vacation region of Fiss, located within the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski arena and a popular hiking area in the upper Inn valley, a bear has been causing havoc. The eight-week ordinance for the expulsion of the bear was issued by the regional government, as the elusive predator has recently killed two donkeys and possibly a pony.
The tragic discovery of the mangled carcass of a pony, belonging to local resident Martin Köhle, was made directly next to the mountain station on the Mösern alp. Köhle, anguished by the loss of his beloved animal Mika, has spoken out against the bear, stating the cruel suffering it causes to animals is rarely reported.
DNA traces have confirmed that a bear was responsible for the deaths of the two donkeys found in the municipality of Pfunds. The bear's identity remains unknown, and it has not been tracked to date. The regional government is considering tagging the bear if it can be captured, to monitor its future movements.
However, officials note that such measures cannot prevent attacks in advance. The bear has not shown signs of approaching humans or settlements, but its presence on alp farms poses a danger to livestock. The state government of Tyrol has issued an ordinance for the deterrence of the predator, which includes light stimuli, acoustic signals, rubber bullets, or bang grenades.
The use of rubber bullets against bears has been allowed in Tyrol for 13 years. Yet, the current bear in Fiss has not been shot, unlike in Bavaria where the problem bear Bruno was shot in 2006. In Switzerland, bear M13 was killed in 2013 after several attacks and approaches to humans.
Farmers and hoteliers in the upper Inn valley are putting pressure on the Tyrolean state government, fearing for their livestock and guests. Josef Geisler, the deputy governor of Tyrol, has emphasized that they are closely monitoring the bear situation and take the concerns of the population and alp farmers seriously.
If the bear poses an immediate threat to humans, according to Geisler, further steps will be taken. The bear living in Fiss that killed two donkeys and possibly a pony recently has not had its name publicly disclosed. The regional government is working diligently to ensure the safety of the community and the protection of wildlife, while finding a solution to the ongoing issue.
