Dr Alessandro de Guelmi’s recommendations for informed and safe co-existence
Angela Trawoeger
Creator, photographer and content manager
Alessandro de Guelmi
With the Life Ursus project, the brown bear has returned to populate the Trentino mountains and Lake Garda. The project involved reintroducing ten bears from Slovenia into the Adamello Brenta Park to prevent their complete extinction and spread them throughout the Alps. Today, the bear population in this territory is estimated at around 100-130 individuals. This is an unrealistic estimate due to the need for more accurate monitoring.
The brown bear is part of Trentino’s richness and biodiversity, and its future is strongly linked to developing a culture of coexistence with man.
Knowing how bears behave and respecting good rules of behaviour is fundamental to avoiding risky encounters and contributing to harmonious coexistence.
To explore this topic, I met with Alessandro de Guelmi, a former provincial veterinarian and one of Italy’s leading bear management experts with a long career dedicated to wildlife.
What struck me about Dr de Guelmi was his passion, character and determination to promote accurate information and a balanced approach to bear management based on scientific data and respect for the environment.
Getting to know the bear
The bear is a shy, solitary, and highly intelligent plantigrade, but it is also a curious animal with a marked capacity for learning and adaptation.
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The bear runs up to 50 km/h, swims, and climbs easily; its sense of smell and hearing are well-developed, but its vision could be better.
The adult male can reach a height of 2.20 metres and a weight of 300 kg.
Bears stand on two paws to see, smell, and hear better. This behaviour is not a sign of aggression. Bears rely heavily on their sense of smell, ten times more potent than a dog’s, to gather information about their surroundings.
Bears are omnivores and food opportunists who feed on various plants, fruits, small animals, and carcass remains. They avoid humans but may approach inhabited areas searching for food, especially if attracted by waste and leftover food.
Even a simple apple core can attract a bear and condition its behaviour as it associates the smell of food with humans, leading it to approach paths and inhabited areas. The search for food and the availability of resources can change their eating habits.
Where bears live, how they move and what they look for
European brown bears prefer habitats with abundant vegetation cover that offers them protection and food resources. Their dens, typically in steep and uncrowded places, may be in ravines which the bear adapts to its use. Each bear knows a few and chooses yearly according to its needs.
The bear is a great individualist and spends its adult life almost entirely in solitude; its behaviour is determined by its personal experiences, which are processed in their brain and transformed into highly diversified behaviour. Each bear consequently behaves differently.
Adult males tend to explore larger territories than females, who often remain in the areas where they were born.
To prevent bears from becoming confident and dangerous, it is crucial not to leave anything in the forest, even harmless leftovers. Our mountains provide everything necessary for their survival without depending on food scraps.
Excursions at Lake Garda with local guides
Behaviour in the event of an encounter
De Guelmi reminds us that, while the bear is undoubtedly dangerous, the real risk of it harming humans is extremely low.
From 2000 to 2015, 291 bear attacks were recorded in Europe. Most of the attacks involved humans, adults alone, moving swiftly and silently in the woods. There were no predatory attacks, which indicates that the bear does not see humans as prey (Brown bears attacks on humans – G. Bombieri et al.)
The plantigrade generally shows substantial indifference to humans, and almost all encounters end with the bear fleeing, usually before it can be seen.
Avoiding the encounter
The bear likes to avoid being taken by surprise, so it is essential to warn it of your presence with occasional uncomplicated, firm noises.
When walking in areas with poor visibility, a cough, a word, or the sound of trekking poles is usually enough to drive the bear away. Always follow paths, do not leave food scraps and keep your dog on a leash: these are the essential preventive measures.
To signal your presence, move in a group and speak normally. If you move through the forest alone, you must be particularly alert and capable. Leaving the beaten track and entering less frequented areas increases the likelihood of a close encounter.
What to do if you spot a bear
If you spot the plantigrade from a distance, avoiding approaching it or getting near it is essential. Admire the bear from a safe distance and appreciate its presence: this is the correct behaviour. De Guelmi reminds us that, however exciting the moment may be, never linger to take photos or videos. Keep your attention on the situation, avoiding sudden and hysterical movements.
Do not follow the bear, even if you are in a car.
What to do if you meet a bear up close
In the rare case of a close encounter with a bear, stop, remain calm, and do not shout. Speak in a moderate but firm tone. Do not raise your arms or throw stones or sticks. Walk away slowly without your back to the bear.
It is important not to run away, as running away may cause the bear to chase you.
If the bear shows signs of aggression through growling, blowing or pawing at the ground, move away slowly without losing sight of the animal. If it runs towards you aggressively, remain still and do not shout.
If it comes even closer and contact is unavoidable, your last resort is to lie on your stomach with your face to the ground and your hands intertwined on the back of your neck. Remain still in this position until you know the bear is gone.
Report the incident to the authorities as soon as possible by calling 112.
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Conservation and respect for the habitat
The media tend to emphasise the few problematic bears, ignoring the majority that do not cause problems. This distorts public perception and increases fear of these animals.
Being driven by anxiety is always counterproductive.
An excellent way to continue to enjoy the forest is to frequent it more consciously.
A respectful and informed approach to the mountains has always been crucial; now, it is even more so. Knowing how bears behave and what to do in their presence helps us enjoy nature safely while respecting wildlife.
De Guelmi points out that entering a forest and knowing of a bear’s presence makes us feel like guests rather than masters. This more humble approach helps us overcome anthropocentrism and be more aware and respectful.
