<p><span>The reintroduction of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Trentino, Northern Italy, supported by the EU LIFE Ursus Programme (1999-2004), represents one of the most emblematic initiatives for wildlife conservation in Europe. It has been associated with positive outcomes for the alpine ecosystems, and significant socio-economic benefits. Nevertheless, the bear population recovery has also contributed to the re-emergence of human-bear conflicts, a phenomenon which is especially severe in highly anthropized valleys. In recent years, reported encounters, including attacks, have grown in frequency, alongside rising economic costs and legal disputes, accompanied by a decline in public trust towards environmental governance.</span></p> <p><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>This policy report aims to address the question of how the Autonomous Province of Trento (APT) should respond to these challenges, and how it can support coexistence by mitigating the conflict without undermining the compliance with the EU Habitats Directive and national regulations, while safeguarding conservation objectives in the long-term.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>Adopting a qualitative policy analysis framework, I identify key drivers of conflict and evaluate three policy options: maintaining the status quo through the continuation of an annual culling quota (A); regulating access to at-risk zones (B); and extending regulated access to bear deterrent spray (C).</span></p> <p><span>For conducting the assessment of these alternatives, I consider, for their relevance, five key dimensions: equity in the distribution of benefits and costs, conservation outcomes, legal and regulatory compliance, economic efficiency, and political feasibility. Option C emerges as the most balanced pathway for addressing the trade-offs between safety, conservation and practicability. The results call for further reflection on the potential of non-lethal deterrence strategies in promoting human-wildlife coexistence in densely populated areas, which necessitate, as a fundamental prerequisite for their effective implementation, reinforced educational and monitoring frameworks.</span></p>