Andrea Papi, a 26-year-old trail runner and avid athlete, was suspected of having been mauled to death by a bear in the Italian Dolomites.
Papi’s girlfriend reported him missing after he did not return home from a run, prompting a search and rescue effort involving mountain rescue teams and police.
Sadly, Papi’s severely injured body was discovered in Caldes, near Bolzano, early Thursday morning.
Papi was running on the scenic Mt Peller trails, home to over 80 bears, and has had several recent bear attacks.
In the same area last month, a 39-year-old hiker survived a bear attack and recounted his harrowing experience of fighting for his life to escape.
Papi’s body was discovered by mountain rescue teams, who used dogs to aid in their search. Sources have indicated that Papi was found deceased at the scene and had injuries consistent with being attacked by a wild animal.
The local mayor, Andrea Maini, expressed condolences and noted that investigators must determine the exact cause of Papi’s death.
Italy’s largest animal welfare organization, LAV, has stated that this would be the first recorded death from a bear attack in all of Italy.
However, LAV has acknowledged that there have been previous incidents of bears attacking humans, but this is the first time that an attack could be potentially fatal.
The autopsy results are yet to be disclosed, and LAV has been asked to be informed as soon as they are completed.
