Brown bear: the reports
Until almost halfway through the month, no reliable reports of bear activity were received (sightings, camera traps(tracks on snow, or other recent indicators of presence). The first confirmed case of the year was on February 13th (footprints in the mud in Tenno). Subsequently, some sporadic reports were recorded, including the first bear damage of the year, namely visits (February 15th and 17th) to two chicken coops in Toss di Ton where, in addition to feeding on some chickens, the bear also injured a dog living on site. With the gradual return of bear activity, which will increase over the month of March, citizens are reminded of the possibility of requesting materials for the construction of electric fences to protect chicken coops, apiaries, and livestock at high risk of predation (sheep, goats, donkeys, camelids, small ponies, young cattle, and foals). The administration can provide these materials free of charge through the Trentino Forestry Corps; The application is free for agricultural businesses, but requires the application of a €16 stamp duty for hobbyists. Funding grants may be available for the installation of particularly structured electric fences (e.g., traditional wooden fences electrified on the outside with zinc-aluminum wire).
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Wolf: What happened in February?
As is usual in the winter months (see December and January updates), February saw numerous wolf presence and sightings, including in agricultural and peri-urban areas. There were also six incidents of predation on sheep and one on donkeys, in Madruzzo, Roncegno Terme, Vigolo Baselga, Tenno, Lardaro, Cavedine, and Garniga Terme, respectively. In two cases, functioning electric fences were present; in one case, the fence was present but not functioning; in the other four, either no electric fences were present or they were inadequate to prevent attacks. Regarding PAT funding for the construction of electric fences, the same considerations as for bears apply even more strongly to wolves. While it is true that apiaries and chicken coops are particularly attractive to bears, livestock are particularly attractive to wolves, which are now established throughout the province.
News episodes
On February 27, a woman from Rabbi was scratched on the leg by a canine of wolf-like size and appearance, which quickly fled during a surprise close encounter. In February, six wolves were struck by vehicles: on the first of the month in Pieve di Bono (escaped), on the 3rd in Sant'Antonio di Mavignola (escaped), on the 4th in Avio (dead young female, hit by a train), on the 13th in Saone (dead young male), on the 14th in Tremalzo di Ledro (dead adult male), and on the 27th in Massimeno (dead young female).
