Young bears escape wildlife park enclosure, head straight for snacks

Two mischievous young bears at a wildlife park in England caused quite a stir when they managed to escape from their enclosure and make their way into a staff-only food storage area. Mish and Lucy, two 5-year-old European brown bears, were discovered feasting on a week’s worth of honey and other snacks after their great escape at Wildwood Devon in southwest England.

The bears, who were not a threat to the public, prompted all park visitors to be moved into a secure building as a safety precaution. Surveillance footage and on-the-ground monitoring were used to track Mish and Lucy until they eventually made their way back to their enclosure.

Wildwood Devon shared footage of Lucy looking quite pleased with herself after her food-filled adventure, followed by both bears passing out from their feast. The incident, which led to a police response, was attributed to an “operational error.” As a result, the wildlife park is conducting a full internal investigation to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

While the structural integrity of the bear enclosure remained intact, Wildwood Devon emphasized their commitment to animal care, visitor safety, and transparency. The park, located on 40 acres of woodland and gardens, is home to a variety of animals, including foxes, wolves, red squirrels, and of course, bears.

In a similar incident in 2023, an Andean bear at the St. Louis Zoo managed to escape from his enclosure twice in one month by cleverly breaking out of the door’s frame. These escapades serve as a reminder of the intelligence and resourcefulness of these incredible animals.

Wildwood Devon and Devon and Cornwall Police have yet to respond to inquiries about the incident. Nevertheless, the wildlife park continues to provide a safe and enriching environment for its animal residents and visitors.

Sophia Compton, a Digital Production Assistant at Fox News Digital, brings this captivating story to life. With a background in business reporting and TV news production, Sophia’s journalistic skills shine as she shares the tale of Mish and Lucy’s honey-filled adventure.