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Northern Italy's 'problem bears' show the challenges of rewilding carnivores

Recent tensions over the reintroduction of bears to Italy’s mountains shine a light on the challenges faced by both humans and animals in such wildlife projects.

In February of this year, a male brown bear known as M90 was controversially shot dead by forestry police in the Northern Italian province of Trentino. According to reports, the animal sealed its own fate by showing “excessive confidence” around humans. In April 2023, the same Alpine region witnessed a fatal attack on a jogger, who had the misfortune to startle a female bear with cubs. It’s a situation that’s seen emotions run high.  

Europe’s largest mountain range stretches into eight countries and is home to some 14 million people, with countless towns and villages and more than 8,000 ski lifts — but it’s far from being a predominantly human domain. Across the continent, only the Mediterranean region can rival the Alps’ variety of flora and fauna. Endemic mountain plants abound, forests cloak remote hillsides and the thousands of animal species that fly, swim and forage here include some of Europe’s most charismatic predators. The problem? Wild carnivores, awe-inspiring though they might be, are not universally popular.

Centuries ago, much larger populations of wolves, lynxes, brown bears and vultures roamed the Alps, living there as they’d done for millennia. Paw prints peppered the mountain pastures. Howls echoed through moonlit valleys. Over time, however, a depressingly familiar pattern of persecution and habitat loss decimated their populations. Some survived and remained — albeit in far smaller, more fragmented numbers.  

Over the last two to three decades, conservation and rewilding initiatives have focused on protecting these creatures, in some cases physically reinstating them, not only for the good of the individual species, but because — as nature’s own hunters and scavengers — the animals play a key role in keeping the often delicate Alpine ecosystem in balance. The bears in the Trentino region, which have grown in number from 10 to around 100 after being reintroduced from Slovenia in the early 2000s, aren’t just a furry nuisance.

“The Alps in particular have had very large increases in populations of red and roe deer,” explains Fabien Quétier, head of landscapes at Rewilding Europe. “These densities of herbivores are a problem for natural regeneration and can cause issues like car accidents. Predators play a role in regulating that.”

Indeed, when carried out responsibly, the upsides of rewilding are substantial. “It’s like hitting the reset button on nature,” says Natalya Jarlebring of Milkywire, a European organisation that helps fund climate- and nature-based projects around the world. In other words, it helps nature fall back into balance.

Back to the wild

Rewilding refers to the process of protecting an environment and returning it to its natural state, for example by bringing back wild animals that used to live there. It often also involves re-planting native flowers and trees, or dismantling fencing to allow nature room to grow. But for obvious reasons, it’s the wildlife that tends to grab the headlines.

Wolves, bears and the far shyer lynx are all known to attack farmed livestock, which adds a further complicating factor to the debate. But for Claudio Groff, who heads the Large Carnivores Division of Trentino’s Wildlife Department, it’s important to retain a wider sense of perspective.

“A very low percentage of the bears in Trentino can be problematic to humans,” he says. “That’s usually only around 5% to 10% of the population, the same for bears found anywhere in Europe.”

Vigilance is key. He explains that his department’s official policy towards ‘problem bears’ has three stages: first is to have conversations within the community; second is to manage elements that might attract wandering bears, such as open bins; and third is to deter over-assertive animals from approaching human settlements, by using dogs or rubber bullets.

“If none of these steps work, the absolute final option is to shoot the bear,” he says. The culling of M90 was a last resort. “We’re never happy when we have to do this.”He also points out that, in spite of recent incidents, a substantial number of locals remain supportive and proud of the bears’ resettlement. “A lot of people in Trentino are still happy that we have these wonderful animals in our region, despite the difficulties,” he says. “We also have to remember that bears were here in the Alps before we were. It’s their home as well.”  

Questions of perspective and education come up regularly where rewilding is concerned. Many more people are harmed in the Alps each year by cattle than they are by carnivores — “a cow is also a dangerous animal,” points out Quétier — and the instincts of the vast majority of predators mean that they’re mainly nocturnal and actively avoid humans.  

In the absence of an over-arching Alpine regulatory body for nature recovery, the success of rewilding schemes — whether in Trentino or elsewhere — is dependent on effective local management. “It’s important to involve local communities from the outset,” emphasises Jarlebring. “This means listening to their concerns, addressing their needs, educating them about the benefits of rewilding, building trust and fostering a sense of ownership.”

Paula Mayer, a research assistant at ETH Zurich University, specialises in human-bear conflict. She explains that attitudes towards large carnivores can often differ from one postcode to the next. “In mountain regions in Italy, there can be a marked difference in community attitudes towards bears between those places where organisations have been in and spoken to the locals, and the places where they haven’t,” she says. “It’s pretty remarkable.”  

Tying in with this is the issue   of visitors. Trentino is, after all, a popular travel destination, and Mayer points out that having large wildlife in an area can be a godsend for responsible travel businesses. There are already examples in some parts of North America, where the presence of bears has long helped draw wildlife-loving travellers. “It’s the same here in Trentino,” says Groff. “There’s a lot of interest in our bears from visitors. Some are also a bit worried, it’s true, but around 80% or 90% of them are interested rather than fearful.”

The economic benefits are particularly important given the challenges facing the winter sports industry. “Skiing is the mainstay of many Alpine valleys, but it’s now becoming tricky to have reliable snow,” says Quétier.  

“A big topic for some of these mountain communities is how to diversify. If we’re looking at less impactful tourism, spread throughout the seasons, rewilding has something to offer. Whenever you go skiing in the Alps, you’re in wolf territory — and often lynx territory, too.”  

Long-established tour operator Inntravel is one company offering hiking trips to the Alps. Product manager Alison Temple is realistic about the risks. “The media coverage of an incident such as the bear attack in Trentino can create the image that such events are a regular occurrence, which of course they’re not,” she says.

“Customers who actively choose our most challenging walking itineraries are always up for an adventure, and it’s our job to help expose them to the amazing wilderness of the Alps while being responsible for their safety.”      

With bad news stories capable of distorting the picture when it comes to bears, it should also be stressed that, beyond Trentino, populations of brown bears in the Alps are sporadic to non-existent. Whether this changes in future remains to be seen. In the meantime, rewilding projects of other kinds — involving lynxes, vultures, wolves, ibexes and other species — continue to be initiated across various parts of the range.

The vision is of mountain valleys restored to their former glory, brimming with biodiversity.   In these fast-moving times, rewilding can tap into something deeper — to the advantage of both locals and visiting travellers.  

“Rewilding can have cultural and spiritual benefits,” says Jarlebring. “Imagine a community reconnecting with the environment around them and feeling a deeper connection to the land. It’s about more than just practical advantages. It’s about fostering a sense of belonging and identity.”

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How to watch new season of National Geographic’s ‘To Catch a Smuggler’

• Updated: Apr. 24, 2024, 4:30 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 24, 2024, 4:30 p.m.

"To Catch a Smuggler" airs on National Geographic on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET. Courtesy of National Geographic

• Mikhayla Dunaj | [email protected]

Join Homeland Security and Border Patrol as they work to prevent the flow of illegal contraband into America. A new season of “ To Catch a Smuggler ” airs on National Geographic on Wednesday, April 24, at 9 p.m. ET .

Watch the new episode with free trials from Fubo and DIRECTV Stream . The series is also available through Disney+ and Sling Blue .

About the show:

“ To Catch a Smuggler ” serves viewers second-hand adrenaline as homeland security and border patrol uncover smuggling operations that threaten the law and national security. Intense surveillance footage will keep you on the edge of your seat, especially in the season 7 premiere titled “ Cocaine Leaks and Ancient Greeks .”

This week, homeland security runs down a drug smuggler in a parking lot. Meanwhile, border patrol sifts through cargo, uncovering ancient artifacts and the illicit trade of cultural heritage. Tune in for the suspenseful episode tonight at 9/8c on National Geographic .

Where to watch National Geographic:

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What's the Difference Between Barolo and Barbaresco?

These two beloved Nebbiolo-based wines have some key differences.

Lane Nieset is a writer from Miami who has lived in France for the past 10 years. From her current base in Paris, she covers a mix of lifestyle, wine, food, and fashion.

Expertise: food, wine, cocktails, culture, travel.

Experience: Lane Nieset graduated from the University of Florida with a dual bachelor's in journalism and French. She got her start in food media as a fellow at Time Inc. in the MyRecipes test kitchen. Lane has covered food history, trends, and chef profiles for a variety of publications, including Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue.com, and National Geographic Travel. She has worked her way through more than 50 countries across all seven continents, trying everything from snowshoeing in Antarctica to glacier trekking in the French Alps. She has appeared in BBC Travel's "RSVP Abroad" series in Cannes and is a contributor to Fodor's Inside Paris guidebook.

AndreaAstes / Getty Images

Straddling either side of Italy’s famous truffle town Alba, the small villages of Barolo and Barbaresco aren’t far in distance but their expressions of Nebbiolo can taste worlds apart. 

Nebbiolo is one of the oldest grape varieties from Piedmont , a prized wine-producing region in northwest Italy that borders France and Switzerland. Here, the average vineyard size measures just five acres. 

“Traditionally, Barolo has been referred to as the king of wines, and Barbaresco as its queen,” says Quality Branded’s wine and beverage director Meng Chiang, who oversees the wine list at San Sabino , the new sister spot to New York City’s iconic Italian-American restaurant Don Angie .

Geographically, Barolo is nearly three times the size of Barbaresco, and vines are grown on steep hillsides in cooler climates. The slow ripening process due to the high altitude leads to wines that are more structured, lighter in color, and relatively high in both tannins and acidity .

“The differences in soil composition as well as aging requirements have prompted many to think of Barolo as more muscular and more masculine, and Barbaresco as more elegant and feminine,” says Chiang. “But this generalization has become more or less obsolete over time — it's the winemaker and their vision of Nebbiolo that actually matters.” 

Barbaresco’s slightly lower elevations, warmer conditions, and consistent daily temperatures give these red wines a refined and elegant profile that is comparatively lighter in tannins and rich in red fruit notes.

“It [can be] challenging to underline the differences between Barolo and Barbaresco since, even if the surface of these two regions are not very big, each is characterized by the huge diversity of exposures, positions of the villages, microclimates, soil, and terroir,” says Federica Boffa, fifth-generation owner of historic winery Pio Cesare in Alba.

phbcz / Getty Images

What do Barolo and Barbaresco wines taste like?

Both Barolo and Barbaresco are required to be 100 percent Nebbiolo by law. 

“If you feel like drinking a complex bouquet with smoky and woody notes, I would suggest a Barolo wine,” says Barbara Sandrone, owner and winemaker of Sandrone , which has been producing Barolo wines for over 40 years .

When drinking Barolo or Barbaresco — especially older bottles — consider decanting before serving. 

“ Decanting is important to help the wine open up and show appropriately,” says Charlotte Mirzoeff, wine director at Roman trattoria Forsythia in New York, who likes serving Barolo and Barbaresco in Burgundy glasses to add more air. “Pour the wine slowly into the decanter so you can separate it off the sediment at the bottom of the bottle.”

How long should Barolo and Barbaresco age?

Barbaresco has a minimum aging requirement of 26 months (nine of which are in oak), while Barolo spends 38 months aging (18 in oak).  

“Barolo should be laid down and enjoyed for a special occasion, while Barbaresco is more of a weeknight wine — perfect to be served while cooking at home,” says Rob Smits, director of wine at Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort in Hawaii.

If you’re patient enough, however, both Barbaresco and Barolo wines have the potential to age for decades. 

“The bigger the structure, [or the] more acid or tannin, the more aging potential,” says Mirzoeff. “Barolo from Serralunga d’Alba, for example, tends to be more structured off the bat, so it has longer aging potential — in fact, it often needs a few years before it is even enjoyable to drink at all.” 

What pairs best with Barolo and Barbaresco?

Pair Barolo with heartier fare like risotto, duck, and sausage tagliatelle, and sip Barbaresco with lighter dishes like salads, grilled chicken, and charcuterie. 

“A classic pairing with Barolo and Barbaresco is meat — the Fassona veal in Piedmont is famous— or game, but also intense cheeses,” says Federico Ceretto, CEO, sales director, and the third generation at the helm of Ceretto Winery . “Our national tradition offers many recipes of homemade pasta stuffed with meat that pair perfectly with Barbaresco and, personally, I would suggest lamb for Barolo.”

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Opinion Columnists | Mathews: Welcome to San Mateo County…

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Opinion columnists | ‘a very bad individual’: man shot, wounded two san jose police officers shot in hotel confrontation, opinion columnists | mathews: welcome to san mateo county international airport, given sfo’s bold commitment to defending geographic integrity, the airport should drop ‘san francisco’ from its name.

Last month, SFO’s leaders filed suit to stop the Port of Oakland from changing Oakland International Airport’s name to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.” Oakland justified the name change by saying it wanted to educate travelers unfamiliar with California that their city sits on the bay. I like to think that Oakland was combating a misperception among Star Wars fans that it’s on Planet Tatooine; after all, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) was a native Oaklander.

Fortunately, SFO saw through the Oakland’s airport Jedi mind trick. The lawsuit accuses its East Bay competitor of trademark infringement as part of a grab for more air traffic. SFO also alleges that the name change creates the impression that Oakland is in San Francisco, which it is not.

I admire SFO’s bold commitment to defending geographic integrity. Which is why I’m so excited to see the airport take the next logical step in advancing the same principle, by changing its own inaccurate name.

I can hear it now: My Southwest Airlines pilot asks me to return my seat back to its full upright position — and then welcomes me to San Mateo County International Airport.

Because SFO, just like Oakland, isn’t in the city or county of San Francisco. It’s in an unincorporated corner of northeast San Mateo County, south of San Francisco.

Trapped at SFO

As a lifelong SFO passenger, I can testify that taking the San Francisco out of SFO’s name would be a service to the flying public.

Because it’s actually quite difficult to get into or out of San Francisco via the airport with San Francisco in its name.

SFO’s problems start with flight delays. For years, it’s had among the highest rates of delayed flights in the United States. Other badly delayed airports typically have snow or severe winter weather. Of course, SFO has fog, but fog alone doesn’t make so many flights late. It’s the poor organization of the airport itself. Its two main, parallel runways are too close together to permit landings at the same time. So, when visibility is low, there are delays. This year, a construction project has been creating still more backups.

And if fog and poor organization don’t trap you at SFO, the airport’s design will. Today’s SFO was largely created 20 years ago, via an expansion that was hundreds of millions of dollars over budget. The project left the airport feeling overbuilt and bloated, with too much distance between ground transportation and gate.

Today, getting to your flight at SFO requires taking slow rides on an internal Air Train (whose construction was dogged by corruption allegations) and making long walks through large, glassy, and often empty halls. Even when security lines are short, walking alone can add 20 minutes to your trip. Travel web sites routinely advise SFO passengers to arrive at the airport two or more hours early.

And the transportation options outside the airport are no picnic, either. SFO sits at a traffic chokehold point, with crammed freeways and dead-end streets. Public buses stop at the terminals, but the main line, SamTrans 292, only shows up every 30 minutes or so. And Caltrain, the peninsula commuter line, doesn’t stop at the airport.

BART trains have a station inside the airport, which is nice. But many trains on that line don’t go into the airport, ending their routes four stops earlier at Daly City instead. And there are so many BART stops along the 13 miles between SFO and downtown San Francisco that the trip can take nearly an hour.

OAK is better SF option

When I need to go to downtown San Francisco, I fly into Oakland. It’s faster, less likely to experience delays, and more reliable. And the airport’s two terminals are small and efficient, so that it’s just two minutes from gate to ground transportation. The airport also has a connector train to BART that can take you into San Francisco in just five stops, or down to Fremont and San Jose with ease.

You might even say that Oakland is a better San Francisco airport than San Francisco’s airport.

But I will say this: Until this cross-bay airport dispute is over, and until SFO follows its own principle and changes its name to San Mateo County International, I am changing my own name to honor the Bay Area airport I actually enjoying flight into.

So, for the time being, you can call me San Francisco Bay Joe.

San Francisco Bay Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zócalo Public Square.

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EXCLUSIVE: Atlanta is pursuing prestigious Sundance Film Festival

Credit: TNS

Atlanta is planning to bid to be the new home of the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027, according to Christopher Escobar, owner of the Plaza and Tara cinemas.

“This could be huge for us,” Escobar told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday before the start of The Atlanta Film Festival, which he produces. “The city of Atlanta is leading this. I’m trying to show them what the possibilities are.”

A spokesman for the city of Atlanta didn’t respond to the AJC seeking comment.

Sundance, which has been based out of Park City, Utah, since 1981, on Wednesday said it is seeking possible alternative cities to move to after its contract with the mountain resort town ends in 2026.

“They are making an honest and concerted effort to make sure before they sign another long-term deal, they look at other options,” Escobar said. “I expect this to be very competitive.”

Sundance is often considered the most prestigious film festival in the United States, its reputation nurtured and enhanced by actor Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute , which supports independent artists.

Credit: Chris Pizzello

Over 11 days in January, the 2024 Sundance festival featured 91 films and 60-plus shorts. More than 100,000 attended the event with 40% out of state, said Jennifer Wesselhoff, president and chief executive of Park City Chamber of Commerce during a press conference at the festival’s conclusion this year.

Dubbed the Sundance Film Festival since 1991, it has helped bolster the reputations of filmmakers over the years such as Steven Soderbergh, Quentin Tarantino, Ava DuVernay and David O. Russell.

Escobar said Atlanta’s strengths are the reason it was able to attract the Olympics in 1996, the Super Bowl in 2019 and the World Cup semifinals in 2026.

“We have the hotel rooms,” Escobar said. “We’re home to the civil rights movement. We have the world’s busiest airport . We have the busiest theater in North America for its size in the Fox Theatre . We have huge private sector companies like Coke, Home Depot and Delta. If Atlanta wants it enough and makes this happen, I think we have an incredibly good shot.”

A special committee within the Sundance Institute, which runs the festival, is currently seeking interest via a preliminary Request for Information (RFI) from various cities with a deadline of May 1. The Sundance committee will cull the nominees down to a list of viable cities.

Atlanta will know if it makes the cut by May 6, said Escobar, who is currently chairing the lead Atlanta group for the RFI.

If it does, a host committee will be formed and Atlanta will start the Request for Proposal (RFP) process between May 7 and June 21.

A city will be named in late 2024 or early 2025, according to the institute.

“We are in a unique moment for our festival and our global film community, and with the contract up for renewal, this exploration allows us to responsibly consider how we best continue sustainably serving our community while maintaining the essence of the Festival experience,” Eugene Hernandez, director of the Sundance Film Festival and public programming, said in a news release .

Hilton Howell, chief executive officer of Atlanta-based Gray Television, which owns Assembly Studios in Doraville and the production company Swirl Films, said Atlanta would be a natural home for Sundance. “I hope it comes true,” he said in a text message. “I will do all I can to bring Sundance to my home. I’m very proud we are competing for this prize.”

Dan Rosenfelt, who operates Electric Owl Studios in Atlanta, said the festival would enhance the city’s already deepening connections to the film industry as a production hub. “Actors of all types will already be here filming so they can easily attend the festival,” he noted. “We have a vibrant independent filmmaking ecosystem here already, so it’d be a really nice fit.”

Savannah is also pitching itself as a potential new home to Sundance, according to Randy Davidson, who runs Georgia Entertainment News.

“Savannah would be similar to the current festival in the sense that the geographic layout could be contained to the historic district,” Davidson said. “The walkable and connected facet of Savannah will be the most attractive angle for Sundance officials with condensed high quality lodging options.”

The city’s primary downside, he noted, is more limited flight options out of its airport compared to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson.

Two other cities have publicly stated they may bid as well: San Francisco and Minneapolis .

In the end, the film festival could very well stay in Park City if the city provides a strong enough proposal.

“To be clear, this does not mean that we are moving or have made a decision to move,” a Sundance spokesperson told The Washington Post . “This includes Utah, given the festival’s long-standing relationship, and we absolutely encourage them to be a part of this process with us.”

The festival in 2023 generated an estimated $118 million to Utah’s economy, according to data released by the state.

About the Author

Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.

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Chris Hemsworth wants you to know he doesn't have dementia and isn't retiring

• Chris Hemsworth has a gene which means increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
• However, he hasn't been diagnosed with the disease and isn't retiring, he said.
• Hemsworth found out his father also has the gene, as did his grandfather.

Chris Hemsworth wasn't expecting such a huge reaction from the public when he revealed he has a gene that puts him at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease .

In his 2022 National Geographic documentary series " Limitless ," the actor was shown discovering that he has two copies of the gene APOE e4, which makes him eight to 10 times more likely to develop the disease.

"You're constantly thinking you're going to live forever, especially as a young individual," Hemsworth, 40, said in the documentary. "Then to be told that this might be the thing that might take you out was like, woah, it kinda floored me."

However, many people didn't understand that it wasn't an Alzheimer's diagnosis, Hemsworth told Vanity Fair . Combined with some planned time off, it created a (false) impression that he had suddenly vanished for health reasons.

Hemsworth is now trying to clear that up and tell the world that he's fine — while also being open about how he's subtly adapting his lifestyle to account for this real risk.

Being talked about as potentially near the end of his career is also a risk for Hemsworth, a superstar whose career could go on for years and produce many millions more dollars.

"It really kind of pissed me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this," Hemsworth said. "No matter how much I said 'This is not a death sentence,' the story became that I have dementia and I'm reconsidering life and retiring and so on."

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Alzheimer's, which Hemsworth is at greater risk of is also not the same thing as dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term to describe serious memory and thinking problems, while Alzheimer's is a specific disease that can progress into dementia.

Hemsworth's father and grandfather also have the gene

Although having the APOE e4 gene doesn't mean Hemsworth will develop Alzheimer's, he has changed his lifestyle somewhat since discovering he has it.

Hemsworth previously told Men's Health that he's started doing more cardio, taking more alone time, being more mindful, and prioritizing sleep.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Hemsworth said that he has been thinking about his future work.

"I think for the first time in my career, I've started thinking, 'Shit, how many years do I have left that I can do this?'" he said.

"I went through a sort of list of films with my production partner yesterday, a bit of a wish list, and then I was like, 'Well, that's six films. That could be the next decade. That could be it. Who knows where I am at that point?'"

After Hemsworth discovered he had the gene, his whole family was tested. They found out his father also carries the gene, as did his grandfather who had Alzheimer's and died in 2023.

Hemsworth's father, Craig, has started seeing the first signs of the disease, Vanity Fair reported.

"I know my dad is going through a transition of acceptance around 'I'm not this big, strong man with all the answers who everybody looks to for guidance now,'" Hemsworth told the publication.

"He's much more the observer now, rather than leading the pack. It's a reminder to me because those are exactly the qualities I need: stillness, observation, absorption, a respect for the present moment."

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