Skip to main content
PulseWire News
EcologyDevon, England

Bears on the Loose: Our Honey Heist Story from Devon

Two mischievous brown bears escape their sanctuary and indulge in an epic food raid.

By Claire MosesSource: nytimes.com1 min read

In brief

In an unexpected turn of events, two 5-year-old European brown bears, Mish and Lucy, broke free from their enclosure at a wildlife sanctuary in Devon, England, treating themselves to a honey feast that left onlookers amused and amazed.

On Monday, Mish and Lucy, known for their friendly demeanor, managed to break out of their living space at Wildwood Trust, a wildlife sanctuary in Southwest England. The bears, best known for their easygoing nature, took it upon themselves to snack on a week’s supply of honey in a matter of hours, creating a scene that resembled a whimsical storybook adventure. The incident was triggered when Lucy accessed a food storage container, leading to a significant honey heist that was captured by surveillance footage. Mark Habben, the director of zoological operations at Wildwood, initially received a “code red” call while he was stationed at another sanctuary location. At first thinking it might be a drill, he quickly activated the emergency protocol upon realizing the severity of the situation. As safety measures were put in place, 16 guests were swiftly guided into a secure area while local authorities were notified. Fortunately, no visitors were in danger, and the bears were kept from entering public spaces during their escapade, ensuring a peaceful resolution to their honey raid. This cheerful escapade emphasizes the charm and antics of wildlife, reminding everyone of the playful side of nature. As for Mish and Lucy, they are now back in their enclosure, perhaps dreaming of their next adventure!

Topics

More on this story