BEARS BEHAVING BADLY

The year of 2021 is turning out to be a vintage one for bear-related mayhem. Probably the most widely reported story in the UK was about two bears that broke out of their enclosure at Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire, in May using a fallen tree. They then attacked a boar in a neighbouring paddock, leading to keepers having to shoot the bears before they were able to get into public areas. Tranquillisers were not used as they take too long to work and so could not be relied on to keep the public safe. Internationally, though, this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Also in May, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, students from Jefferson County High School had to flee their pool