The picturesque Italian village of Pettorano sul Gizio is one of Europe’s first Bear Smart Communities – part of a movement that began in Canada in response to rising human-bear encounters.

Here in Italy, being ‘bear smart’ means finding ways for the critically endangered Marsican brown bear to expand into new territories, while helping local communities adapt to living alongside them, and to benefit from their presence.

The big question is: does it work?

Useful links

Meet the contributors from this episode on social media: Angela Tavone, Eugenio Vitto Massei, Annette Mertens, Wildlife Adventures.

Learn more about the work of Rewilding Apennines and Bear Smart Corridors.

Guidelines for a Bear Smart Community.

Travel to the Apennines on a coexistence adventure.

Learn about Living Well With Wildlife.

Additional info

At the Edge is an independent communications platform exploring ways for people and wildlife to thrive together.

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This episode of At The Edge is produced in partnership with Adventurous Audio and is kindly supported by Ballintean Mountain Lodge.

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