Bear accused of mauling jogger to death ‘is innocent’, campaigners insist

Animal rights group says authorities have detained wrong bear after death of Andrea Papi in Trentino hills , Italy

The bear, known as JJ4, was sedated in 2020 (pictured) after an attack - but she may not be the culprit this time (ANSA/AFP via Getty Images)

Activists are calling for a bear accused of killing a jogger in Italy to be freed, claiming it’s the wrong gender.

Andrea Papi was mauled to death in the mountainous far north of the country on 5 April and authorities swiftly captured JJ4, a 17-year-old female bear that has previously shown signs of aggression towards humans.

Maurizio Fugatti, president of the Trentino province, has called for JJ4 to be put down, and a hearing on 11 May will decide the bear’s fate.