Residents of Brading have reported the first sighting of a grizzly bear on the Isle of Wight since 1966.
The UK Animal Council is urgently appealing for information from the public as to the bear’s current whereabouts.
It's thought the sighting relates to an ambitious pilot project to reintroduce bears and wolves to the woodland area near Shanklin's America Wood.
It is part of the staged re-introduction — named Bear Wood — which saw the two species come nose-to-nose in Britain last year for the first time this Millennium.
The mammals would have once called the British Isles home, but were slowly driven out as human populations expanded.
Where was the Brading Bear seen?
The bear was spotted on Brading's Fatting Marsh last night (Friday March 31) at around 6pm, heading towards Quay Lane and Brading High Street.
Isle of Wight Radio was asked to hold off on reporting the sightings by the Animal Council to avoid causing alarm to residents.
On the scent of roast dinner: a hungry bear headed for the Hungry Bear?
Dayna O'Brien, who runs the aptly named Hungry Bear restaurant on Brading High Street (above), said:
“At first I thought it was a man in a terribly realistic bear costume, until I heard an indisputable growl.
"As I got closer and made eye contact with the fabulous mammal, I realised this was a bear, but it ran out of sight almost as quickly as it had appeared."
Rickie Munnode, who was walking his dog on Brading marsh when he beheld the sight, added:
“I think my Siberian husky must have startled the bear.
"It seemed very timid and afraid, quickly scampering off along Quay Lane before I even had time to snap a photograph.”
Award-winning artist shares impression
Fortunately, Isle of Wight Radio has sourced an award-winning local artist’s impression of the bear - believed to still be roaming the marsh — pictured below:
Appeal for information: The bear spotted on Fatting Marsh around 6pm
It is not known how long the bear has been loose, but local police are appealing for information and have moved to reassure residents of Brading that the bear poses no threat, having been raised by a herd of docile mules.
A spokesperson for the nearby Wildlife Nature Reserve distanced them from the matter, saying:
“We are as shocked as anyone to see a grizzly bear appeared in Brading — we don’t have bears here!
"None of our animals have escaped.”
The area where the grizzly bear was spotted
Bears a familiar sight for the Wight
Two Russian bears evaded capture for 12 days in 1966, after escaping from the Children’s Zoo at Appley Park, Ryde.
Image credit: Ryde Museum
RSPCA officers are currently searching to locate the bear for its safe capture.
It is hoped the bear will then be kept in a designated enclosure on the Island until it is ready to be released into America Wood.
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