Bear that killed runner in Italy moved to German sanctuary – DW – 07/20/2025
A female brown bear, known as JJ4 or Gaia, that killed a jogger in Italy in 2023 has been relocated to a wildlife sanctuary in Germany.
The move follows legal battles and protests, after the bear — originally set to be euthanized — became the center of a debate over human-wildlife conflict.
The animal arrived early on Sunday morning at the Alternative Wolf and Bear Park in the Black Forest district of Freudenstadt.
Staff at the sanctuary confirmed the bear, also known by the name Gaia, was transported from northern Italy overnight and appeared calm and in good condition upon arrival.
"She has been cared for, has eaten and is behaving calmly," a park spokesperson said. JJ4 is expected to be moved into a secure pre-enclosure later in the day.
JJ4 had been held at a wildlife holding facility near the city Trento in northern Italy since being captured last year.
A search for the bear was launched after the body of 26-year-old Andrea Papi was found on April 6 in the woods of the Peller Mountain, where he had gone jogging.
It was the first fatal bear attack in the country in modern history.
After she was captured, Maurizio Fugatti, president of Trentino province, ordered her to be euthanized. However, legal challenges and protests from animal rights groups eventually led to a reversal of that decision.
The German sanctuary agreed to take the bear under strict conditions. The transfer was kept secret until completion to avoid potential protests.
The bear will live in a specially designed, one-hectare enclosure — surrounded by electric fencing and underground barriers.
It was constructed at a cost of around one million euros (about $1.16 million), funded by private donations.
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JJ4 is expected to receive a new name, as "Gaia" is already assigned to another animal in the park.
Park officials say surveillance systems will monitor the bear's activity as she adjusts to her new surroundings.
Gaia's mother, Jurka, mother, has been housed at the animal sanctuary since 2010.
The region of Trentino, once proud of its EU-funded "Life Ursus" reintroduction project, is now grappling with rising human-bear conflicts. In 2023, three bears were killed under new rules allowing targeted removals.
The population has surged to around 100 since reintroduction efforts began near the turn of the millennium.
JJ4 is the sister of "problem bear" Bruno (JJ1), shot in Bavaria in 2006, and of JJ3, killed in Switzerland.
Though she had previously injured two people, courts had blocked efforts to remove her from the wild.
After the fatal attack, courts repeatedly overturned orders for her euthanasia, allowing her to live.
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JJ4, the female bear that killed a jogger in Italy, has been relocated to a German wildlife sanctuary after months of legal battles. Previously, plans to euthanize her fueled intense public debate over animal welfare. A female brown bear, known as JJ4 or Gaia, that killed a jogger in Italy in 2023 has been relocated to a wildlife sanctuary in Germany. The move follows legal battles and protests, after the bear — originally set to be euthanized — became the center of a debate over human-wildlife conflict. The animal arrived early on Sunday morning at the Alternative Wolf and Bear Park in the Black Forest district of Freudenstadt. Staff at the sanctuary confirmed the bear, also known by the name Gaia, was transported from northern Italy overnight and appeared calm and in good condition upon arrival. "She has been cared for, has eaten and is behaving calmly," a park spokesperson said. JJ4 is expected to be moved into a secure pre-enclosure later in the day. JJ4 had been held at a wildlife holding facility near the city Trento in northern Italy since being captured last year. A search for the bear was launched after the body of 26-year-old Andrea Papi was found on April 6 in the woods of the Peller Mountain, where he had gone jogging. It was the first fatal bear attack in the country in modern history. After she was captured, Maurizio Fugatti, president of Trentino province, ordered her to be euthanized. However, legal challenges and protests from animal rights groups eventually led to a reversal of that decision. The German sanctuary agreed to take the bear under strict conditions. The transfer was kept secret until completion to avoid potential protests. The bear will live in a specially designed, one-hectare enclosure — surrounded by electric fencing and underground barriers. It was constructed at a cost of around one million euros (about $1.16 million), funded by private donations. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video JJ4 is expected to receive a new name, as "Gaia" is already assigned to another animal in the park. Park officials say surveillance systems will monitor the bear's activity as she adjusts to her new surroundings. Gaia's mother, Jurka, mother, has been housed at the animal sanctuary since 2010. The region of Trentino, once proud of its EU-funded "Life Ursus" reintroduction project, is now grappling with rising human-bear conflicts. In 2023, three bears were killed under new rules allowing targeted removals. The population has surged to around 100 since reintroduction efforts began near the turn of the millennium. JJ4 is the sister of "problem bear" Bruno (JJ1), shot in Bavaria in 2006, and of JJ3, killed in Switzerland. Though she had previously injured two people, courts had blocked efforts to remove her from the wild. After the fatal attack, courts repeatedly overturned orders for her euthanasia, allowing her to live.
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