On Saturday 28 March, a demonstration took place outside the Casteller facility in Trento (Italy), where the bear known as Papillon has been held in captivity for several years. The event brought together activists and animal welfare organisations from across Europe, aiming to draw attention to the prolonged detention of the animal and to promote a broader reflection on the management of wildlife.
Papillon has become widely known for his repeated escape attempts, often seen as a symbol of his instinct for freedom. According to information shared during the demonstration, the bear has never shown aggressive behaviour towards humans, yet he has remained confined for approximately six years.
Among those present was Alleanza S.A.M., an OIPA Member League, represented by its president Elena Gianina Popovici, a legal expert in criminological analysis applied to wildlife protection, who attended the demonstration also on behalf of OIPA ETS. The presence of OIPA was explicitly acknowledged during the event, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to promoting approaches grounded in science, transparency and respect for wildlife.
During the demonstration, several public interventions were delivered and open letters were presented to both the animal protection community and the authorities of the Autonomous Province of Trento. In particular, an open letter presented also on behalf of OIPA raised significant ethical, scientific and legal concerns regarding the prolonged detention of Papillon at the Casteller facility.
The document highlights potential inconsistencies with the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, which requires that the management of large carnivores prioritise non-lethal measures and prevention of human–wildlife conflicts. It further underlines the absence of evidence demonstrating any real danger posed by the animal and calls for greater transparency in institutional decision-making.
Within this framework, the letter calls for an independent and transparent assessment of Papillon’s conditions, a review of the current management measures, and the publication of relevant data. It also raises the possibility of transferring the animal to a suitable facility, should no alternative solutions be compatible with its welfare.
The demonstration reflected a broader concern regarding the management of large carnivores in Europe, emphasising the need for policies based on scientific evidence, prevention and proportionality. In this context, OIPA reiterates the importance of ensuring that wildlife management practices remain aligned with European legal standards and with the principles of conservation and animal welfare.
