Mumbai, September 3: A well-known female bear was fatally shot on the outskirts of a town in Central Italy. The shooter, a man, has stated that he opened fire out of fear. The bear, affectionately named Amarena, had been caught on video earlier this week as she wandered through the town of San Sebastiano Dei Marsi with her two adorable cubs.

According to the reports, police managed to identify the person who shot the bear, whose death caused anger among local politicians and animal rights supporters. Local governor Marco Marsilio said no bear in the Abruzzo region had ever threatened residents with any danger. Park rangers are still working hard to find the cubs of the slain bear, as there are concerns about their safety and well-being. UK Animal Cruelty: Two Women Kill Friend’s African Grey Parrot During Drinking Session, Get 25-Month Prison Term.

Amarena was one of around 60 scarce Marsican bears. These bears are in great danger of disappearing forever and are only found in central Italy's Abruzzo National Park. The park shared a disturbing picture of Amarena, who had been shot and killed outside the park's boundaries near San Sebastiano dei Marsi. Park rangers rushed to the scene because Amarena's cubs were with her, but veterinarians could only find the mother bear despite their efforts.

The man who killed the bear was identified and quizzed by the police. "I shot out of fear, but I didn't want to kill. I found her inside my property and it was an impulsive, instinctive act," he told Ansa news agency. Animal Cruelty: Unidentified Person Booked for Killing Cat by Throwing It off Second Floor Flat in Maharashtra’s Thane.

"Amarena was a symbol of the park," said Piero Genovesi, head of Italy's wildlife service Ispra. "Everybody loved her. She was frequently seen around the park but never seemed aggressive." Earlier this year, Amarena's four-year-old Marsican bear, known as 'Juan Carrito,' tragically lost its life when it was hit by a car. This young bear became well-known across the country two years ago when it made headlines for sneaking into a bakery and enjoying some cookies.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 03, 2023 02:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).