Trascrizione
The forests of the High Valtellina mountains, along with those in the neighbouring Swiss and South Tyrolean regions, provided an extensive territory for both the Brown Bear and the Wolf. In particular, the Orobic side was the preferred habitat for bears, which loved the woods at altitudes ranging from 1500 to 1800 metres, and sometimes even ventured above 2000 metres during the summer - this is where hunting was particularly intense.
Indeed, although it may seem nearly impossible to us today, these now-protected animals were relentlessly hunted for centuries - the earliest documented records date back to 1200! It is said that the Brown Bear became extinct in Valtellina in the early 1900s, with the last documented sighting occurring in 1913 when a mother bear with her cubs was spotted in Valdidentro.
In this display case, there is a testimony from Dr. Giovanni Gualteroni regarding the bear that was shot in Valgerola in 1887, along with the animal's skull and the partially flattened bullet that killed it.
These historical considerations highlight that the challenges we have always faced in interacting with wildlife do not lie so much in understanding ecological dynamics but rather in managing the psychological and economic aspects. This is why it is essential to adopt appropriate conservation measures to protect endangered species like the Brown Bear.
The other controversial predator that can still be encountered in Valtellina is the Wolf.
It is a shy and timid animal that avoids people as much as possible, preferring to live in areas where it can keep an eye on the situation - open forests and grazing lands. It eats what is available, including fruits, bulbs, and tubers. When living in packs, which are small communities led by the dominant pair, it hunts deer and other ungulates, while when living alone, it preys on smaller animals like hares, birds, mice, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, and other invertebrates.
In some circumstances, for example in winter, when food is scarce, it is possible to encounter a lone wolf even in inhabited areas, and if it remains an occasional event, there is no cause for concern. Some wild animals, in extreme situations, lose their natural wariness toward people and may approach without showing signs of flight or fear.
It is extremely important not to encourage these behaviours for two reasons.
The first is safety: a wolf is still a wolf! Our actions could be misinterpreted and provoke aggression in the animal as a defensive response. Always maintain a safe distance, and if the animal attempts to approach - spontaneously and repeatedly - within less than 30 metres, immediately report the event to the relevant authorities.
The second reason is to recognize and respect what is Nature. This means accepting and appreciating that not everything is at our disposal.