Devon Bears’ Honey Heist: Community Support Replenishes Stash After Great Escape
A pair of European brown bears at Wildwood Trust in Devon, known as Mish and Lucy, are once again enjoying a well-stocked honey supply, all thanks to generous donations from the community. Their recent access to their keepers’ food store followed a brief escape that captured public imagination and highlighted everyone’s favourite bear treat.
The incident unfolded on a Monday afternoon around 3 PM BST when Mish and Lucy breached their enclosure. Conservation charity Wildwood Trust confirmed the escape was triggered by an unlocked gate. This sparked a “code red” emergency procedure at the park near Exeter, leading to an immediate evacuation and lockdown of visitors.
Fortunately, the young bears, each weighing around 180kg (397lb), didn’t venture towards public areas. Instead, for approximately 55 minutes, they made a beeline for a staff area that housed enrichment items and food supplies. Their primary target? The honey store, which was “fortuitously left open.”
The Sweet Taste of Freedom (and Honey)
The adventurous duo wasted no time, consuming what the trust described as “a week’s worth of honey,” alongside jam and other treats. CCTV footage even captured one of the bears helping itself to supplies right outside the bear house. This impromptu feast resulted in a significant “sugar rush.”
Mark Habben, Director of Zoological Operations at Wildwood Trust, recounted the energetic aftermath. After being safely lured back into their enclosure (Mish returned on her own, while Lucy was tempted back with a bell and food), the sugar kicked in. “They gorged on honey and then they somehow needed to burn all of the energy off,” he explained. The bears spent hours charging around, climbing trees, and jumping in the pond before finally “crashing out” into a deep sleep – a behaviour Habben likened to toddlers experiencing a similar sugar-induced high.
Community Rallies with Donations
News of Mish and Lucy’s sweet escapade quickly spread, prompting an outpouring of support from the local community and beyond. Mr. Habben expressed immense gratitude for the public’s reaction. “I couldn’t have more gratitude for how people have responded to this and rallied around and offered support,” he said.
Donations quickly began arriving, including a substantial 15kg (33lb) tub of honey, along with financial contributions specifically for purchasing more supplies. This wave of generosity ensured the bears’ favourite snack was quickly replenished. The incident also led to an increase in visitors keen to see the now-famous bears, with many appreciating their “cheeky element” and peaceful nature.
Ensuring Future Safety
Wildwood Trust has been transparent about the cause of the escape, acknowledging that a mistake was made with the unlocked gate. A safety review is now underway to implement measures to ensure such an incident “never happens again.”
Despite the initial concern, the trust views the outcome as a positive one due to the heightened public engagement and heartwarming display of community support for Mish and Lucy. The bears are safe and sound, their honey reserves are restored, and the bond between the wildlife park and its supporters has been strengthened.
