A bear escape wildlife park incident at Wildwood Devon sparked an evacuation on Monday afternoon when two young brown bears, Mish and Lucy, broke free and headed straight for the honey store, devouring what the park estimates was a week’s supply. The drama unfolded around 15:00 BST, prompting the lockdown of 16 people, including children, inside a play barn while trained firearms officers and police stood ready outside.
Park director Mark Habben reassured the public:
“The public were not in harm’s way, emergency procedures and everyone did the job they were intended to do.”
He described how the bears calmly wandered into the staff enrichment area, enjoying rope toys and pursuing the open honey store before one bear, Mish, returned voluntarily and Lucy was coaxed back with her favourite treats and a bell.
This is the first recorded bear escape wildlife park incident at Wildwood Devon, which has earned acclaim for its work with rescued European brown bears, a legacy that began in 2019 when orphaned bears were brought from Albania. Security procedures were in full force with a “code red” protocol initiating, CCTV monitoring, and collaboration between the park’s specialist team and local police. By the evening, staff confirmed the bear house was secure and that the park would reopen as usual the following day.
While the escape prompted concern, there were no public injuries, and experts say European brown bears, some of the largest land carnivores, can reach 1.9 metres tall and weigh up to 680kg according to the World Wide Fund for Nature. With a global population estimated at 110,000, these creatures remain vulnerable due to habitat loss and human conflict. Wildwood Devon has promised a full investigation into how the enclosure was breached to prevent any repeat.
If you’re interested in how wildlife parks handle unexpected animal incidents, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers a detailed overview of zoo‑level safety procedures on its website. For more nature‑focused stories and local wildlife updates, take a look at our feature on London’s green spaces and how urban environments interact with wildlife.
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[Image Credit | Wildwood Devon]
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