Killing of endangered brown bear near national park leaves 2 cubs motherless, sparks outrage in Italy

A bear was shot and killed in the Abruzzo region of Italy on Sept. 1, 2023. The bear was frequently seen walking around the community, and residents were outraged following its death.

The National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise described the slain animal, nicknamed Amarena — or Black Cherry in Italian — as one of its most prolific brown bears. Residents coined the name because cherries and black cherries were among the bear's favorite foods, the Corriere della Sera newspaper said.

The man who shot the bear with a rifle Thursday night in the town of San Benedetto dei Marsi told police the animal was on his property and he felt in danger, the Italian news agency ANSA said.