[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The dreadful news of the discovery of two Marsican bear cubs found drowned in an artificial snow basin in the municipality of Scanno has been circulating in recent hours. Our association had long warned of the danger of the site and the need to make it safe as soon as possible, even making itself available to pay the relevant expenses. Already in 2021, after informing the municipality, we had attempted with our own means, and thanks to our volunteers, the installation of four metal ramps, one on each side of the basin, anchored to the few still-stable posts of the perimeter fence in wood and netting, which were too low to prevent bears and wildlife from climbing over them. However, after the first intervention and related checks, we found that the ramps had been severely damaged and rendered useless for their function by snow and ice that had desoldered them and dragged them into the water. Thus, in July 2022, also considering the risk to people, the association had again alerted the Scanno Administration of the need to intervene with the construction of a strong metal perimeter fence, about 3 metres high and buried 50 cm (so-called \u2018paragatti\u2019).<\/p>\n
Interlocutions with the municipality have always been difficult and characterised by an opinionated attitude aimed at avoiding any kind of expenditure. This is why we decided to take on, also thanks to the funds of the LIFE Bear – Smart Corridors project, part of the cost of the work by providing 8000 euro and hoping that, in doing so, the municipal administration would decide to make the basin safe. After a year of further delays, written reminders and fruitless talks with representatives of the administration, the municipality asked us for a further financial contribution to proceed. Salviamo L’Orso, at that point, decided to involve our colleagues from Rewilding Apennines so that we could put together the considerable sum of 14,000 euro offered to the municipality of Scanno in mid-October 2023. At that point, PNALM also gave its willingness to intervene financially.<\/p>\n
However, once again, the administration has distinguished itself by its slothfulness and carelessness with which it treats the immense natural heritage by which it is undeservedly surrounded. It pains us to note that, once again, we found ourselves having to fight those who have no qualms about talking about bears and wildlife, using them as symbols and trophies to win the favour of tourists, monetising nature and exploiting its beauty, but who, when it is time to act, hide and turn a deaf ear. We ask ourselves, today more than ever, how we can boast of being part of the Land of Bears, a country that probably few would know outside the Abruzzi borders if it were not for the Gemma bear, also elected as a symbol merely for the sake of tourist attraction. Some will say that we were easy prophets, but instead we only followed reason and science that suggested the importance of securing the territory. A need on which we have insisted for a good four years with an incapable and irresponsible municipal administration such as that of Scanno, which today could have been busy worrying about how to defend itself from having injured, even seriously, a person and not two teddy bears whose only fault was that of walking in the territory they shared with human beings.<\/p>\n
The tragic event confirms to us that, no matter how hard we try and how hard we fight, conservation necessarily depends on the sharing of intentions and goals between agencies and institutions, as well as with local communities.<\/p>\n
Over the past few years, we have secured more than twenty abandoned ponds and wells.For one of these interventions, the Rewilding Apennines association was even cited in a complaint with the accusation of damaging an unused collection tank in the Sirente Velino Regional Park and questioned by the Secinaro Forestry Carabinieri, demonstrating that in a country like ours, the saying \u2018if you don’t do, you never make a mistake\u2019 still applies.
Today the meagre consolation remains that, despite everything, many of these traps have been deactivated thanks to the funds and commitment of private citizens working in the interest of entire communities abandoned by shameful administrations such as that of Scanno.We hope that what happened will serve as a warning and that the traps that remain open and accessible in other places in these mountains will be made safe as soon as possible and that the time for action will begin as soon as possible’.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The dreadful news of the discovery of two Marsican bear cubs found drowned in an artificial snow basin in the municipality of Scanno has been circulating in recent hours. Our association had long warned of the danger of the site and the need to make it safe as soon as possible, even making itself available […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":19186,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press-releases"],"yoast_head":"\n