The drama began on Saturday, when the young female bear made its way into the Lithuanian capital. It was the first time in many years that a bear had found its way into Vilnius. For two days, she explored gardens and strolled over highways – all the time followed by residents with mobile cameras and even drones.
Then the government decided that the bear should be killed – but the country's hunters did not think so. The Lithuanian Hunters' and Fishermen's Association was shocked by the government's order, not least because there are only a few specimens of the protected animals in the country.
She was scared, but not aggressive. She just did not know how to get out of the city, but she did not do any harm, says the association's manager Ramute Juknyte.
While the debate about whether the female bear should be killed was ongoing, she took matters into her own hands – and left Vilnius. On Wednesday, she was caught by a wildlife camera when she calmly wandered through a forest about six miles from the capital.
Brown bears were previously common in Lithuania, but were almost completely eradicated in the 19th century due to hunting and lost habitat. Today, it is estimated that between five and ten bears live in the country.
