This cheeky Italian biscuit-stealing bear has been exiled again after breaking into a bakery

Virgin Radio

29 Mar 2022, 11:48

Juan believe this... Who can blame this hungry little Italian bear for pinching freshly-baked biscuits? But the sweet-toothed furry friend has been flown by helicopter to a remote mountain for the second time after his latest crumby crime.

Two-year-old male bear, Juan Carrito, was tranquillised and taken to Majella Park in Abruzzo, central Italy, 40km from Roccaraso after he broke into a bakery and ate trays of biscuits.

Antonio Antonucci, a wildlife biologist at the park, said: “We know there are other bears in the park there for him to be with and we really hope he stays put this time."

The bear had previously been spotted drinking from a ski resort's water fountain in Roccaraso on his hind legs and gorging on, yes, biscuits.

After concern for his wellbeing and carrying out a 'normal' bear life, experts flew him 15km away from the town but he was back in just ten days.

“He found a spot to hibernate for a month, but by February he was rummaging through bins in Roccaraso again and seeking out the company of local dogs to play with,” said Antonucci.

“The problem is he is big, over 100kg,” Antonucci said.

Earlier in March, Juan was taken to a sanctuary to live alongside a bear who had been freed from an illegal zoo run by a mafia gangster.

“We wanted him to get used to being around bears again and we were waiting for snow to clear from the spot we wanted to take him to,” Antonucci said.

Juan was recently tranquillised and flown to Majella Park, further away from Roccaraso. “The chances are not high he will stay put, but we really want to give him the chance of a normal life,” Antonucci said.

Luciano Sammarone, head of the nearby national park of Abruzzo, said: “I am rooting for Juan Carrito.

“It’s wilder where he is now and it could just work out.”