Bears startle six German campers in Valgrande, rousing them from their slumber near their tent site.
Headline: Brown Bear M29 Spotted Near Valgrande National Park in Italy
In the picturesque Alpe Vald area, at approximately 1300 meters above sea level, above Santa Maria Maggiore, a brown bear identified as M29 has been spotted, causing a stir among hikers and wildlife enthusiasts.
M29, a male specimen, is a well-known figure among monitoring agencies due to its wide range of movement, which includes Lombardy and Switzerland. The bear's behavior suggests it may have been accustomed to human presence in some contexts, but generally avoids contact.
The hikers in Valgrande National Park had an unexpected encounter with the elusive M29. Six German hikers were awakened by the presence of the bear, which got very close to them. The distress call reached the 112 emergency center, but phones do not work in that area, making immediate assistance challenging.
Firefighters with a winch descended to the hikers' location, which was about seven hours' walk from the nearest point where vehicles can reach. However, by the time they arrived, M29 had already left the area, having been spotted earlier by a fire department helicopter.
Despite the close encounter, the hikers chose to stay in Valgrande National Park after the bear left. The area will be patrolled by forestry police to ensure the safety of visitors and to monitor M29's movements.
M29 was first genetically detected in Vco, in 2019, through hair samples found on a fence in Preglia di Crevoladossola. Since then, the bear has been roaming the valleys of Ossola, with the last sightings all in the area between Valle Vigezzo and Valgrande.
M29 belongs to the Trentino population of brown bears and has previously been monitored in Lombardy and Switzerland. Its behavior has always been characterized by reserve and low contact with humans, making it an interesting subject for wildlife conservation efforts.
For up-to-date specifics like recent location, health status, or particular behaviors, those are usually available through the park’s official communications or wildlife monitoring programs, since bears are closely tracked due to their protected status.
The encounter with M29 in Valgrande National Park might lead hikers to reconsider their average lifestyle, as outdoor-living experiences like this can be unpredictable. On the bright side, this event serves as a reminder of the rich home-and-garden of natural landscapes that we share with wildlife, such as sports enthusiasts often seek for their pastimes.
