In a surprising turn of events, two cubs managed to escape from their enclosure in a British zoo, embarking on an impromptu 'honeymoon' adventure.
Busting Loose: The Sweet Escape of Winnie and Pooh
In a captivating turn of events, our beloved cubs Mish and Lucy, residents of Wildwood Devon Zoo, managed to break free from their enclosure last Monday, embarking on a daring escapade that led them straight to a nearby honey stash. A zoo representative confirmed the incident, stating, "Yesterday, these chatty bears waltzed out of their abode and beelined for their favorite treat—honey!"
A Honey Holiday Gone Wild
With the taste of sweet freedom in their nostrils, Mish and Lucy indulged in a veritable feast, chowing down on a week's worth of honey, along with other tantalizing delicacies[1]. The zoo staff, adept at handling these sticky situations, managed to herd them back into their enclosure within an hour without causing a fuss. Thankfully, there were no threats to public safety during this saga, although visitors were temporarily sheltered as a precautionary measure[1].
With CCTV cameras and on-site teams keeping a watchful eye, the bears' escape was followed closely. Post-binge, Mish and Lucy peacefully snoozed off in their sweet sanctuary.
The authorities were promptly summoned to the scene, and an investigation is now underway to ascertain how these 180kg powerhouses managed to wriggle out of the enclosure, as no visible signs of damage were detected[2].
Living the High Life
Mark Habben, Wildwood Devon's operations director, recounted the bears' escapade to BBC, "They were living their best lives! They snacked, played, and explored everything in sight, including a rope and the hidden honey chest.[3] After their sugary spree, Mish ventured back to his enclosure solo, while Lucy was coaxed back by the zoo team with a bell and her favorite treats[3]."
Mish and Lucy found a home at Wildwood Devon after being forsaken by their mother during a snowstorm in 2021. Despite making several attempts to reintroduce them to the wild, experts realized they wouldn't survive on their own[3].
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Bear populations flourishing in the Pyrenees, yet associations call for more releases
According to the WWF, adult European brown bears can stand approximately 2.5 meters tall and tip the scales at up to 340 kg, making them among the largest living carnivores[1]. These magnificent creatures face threats such as hunting and human conflict. Current estimates suggest there are around 110,000 European brown bears worldwide[1]. In France, a vibrant bear population is thriving in the Pyrenean mountains, growing to nearly 100 individuals by 2024[4]. The UK, unfortunately, has been devoid of bears since the 11th century, but, thanks to events like Mish and Lucy's adventure, the sigh of the bear may soon be heard once more.
Living the high life, Mish and Lucy ventured into a sweet sanctuary of home-and-garden delights, taking advantage of their freedom by exploring and gardening. In their grand escape, they found a hidden honey chest and peacefully snoozed off amongst the blooms of the garden.
