You know those stories that sound like they’ve been lifted straight from a children’s book?
That’s exactly what played out at Wildwood Devon wildlife park yesterday—except this wasn’t fiction, and the stars of the tale were two very real, very hungry bears named Mish and Lucy.
Instead of causing chaos, these playful troublemakers broke out of their enclosure… and made a beeline for the food store.
Their prize? A full week’s worth of honey—and more.
Bears on the Loose, But No Need to Panic
The breakout happened around 3pm at Escot Park, near Ottery St Mary.
Five-year-olds Mish and Lucy, both brown bears weighing about 400 pounds each, somehow managed to get out of their enclosure.
But rather than roaming wildly or intimidating visitors, they followed their noses to the tastiest place in the park: the snack stash.
While staff jumped into action and quickly moved visitors—including a group of 16 children—to safe areas like the play barn, the bears were calmly monitored via CCTV.
Luckily, they didn’t seem interested in anything but the food.
The Great Bear Buffet Begins
Once inside the food store, the bears treated themselves to an impressive spread: berries, vegetables, fish, meats, and, of course, plenty of honey.
CCTV footage showed Lucy happily devouring buckets of treats while Mish stayed close by, clearly enjoying the surprise feast.
Staff kept a watchful eye on them the entire time and confirmed that the bears posed no risk to the public at any point.
Within the hour, the duo was safely guided back to their enclosure—full, content, and ready for a nap.
Visitors Safe, Staff Praised, and Park Back Open
Wildwood Devon’s team didn’t miss a beat. In line with safety protocols, they locked down the park and ensured everyone was kept in secure buildings.
Armed police were called as a precaution, and specialist officers helped oversee the situation.
Thanks to the quick work of the zookeeper team, the situation was fully under control before it could escalate.
The park has since reopened to the public, and an internal investigation is now underway to figure out how exactly Mish and Lucy managed to escape.
From Abandoned Cubs to Local Celebrities
Mish and Lucy weren’t always this lucky. The bears were originally rescued in Albania after being abandoned by their mother.
After a brief stay in Belgium, they found their forever home at Wildwood Devon in 2022, thanks to a £250,000 fundraising campaign that helped build a special, naturalistic enclosure designed just for them.
Since then, they’ve become stars at the park.
Mish is known for snoozing in hammocks and splashing in pools, while Lucy has a curious streak—often climbing trees and exploring every corner of her space.
Why This Escapade Has a Sweet Ending
Wildwood’s general manager previously described them as “firm favourites” among visitors, and it’s easy to see why.
Their breakout might have raised a few eyebrows, but it only added to their charm. They didn’t hurt anyone, didn’t try to escape the grounds—they just wanted a snack.
In a statement, Wildwood Devon reassured the public that everything is back to normal: “The exhibit is secure, and we’re grateful to our staff and visitors for their cooperation, which helped us resolve the situation swiftly and safely.”
A Gentle Reminder That Even Wildlife Can Surprise You
For now, Mish and Lucy are back in their enclosure, likely dreaming of their honey heist.
And while the park investigates what went wrong, they’ve made it clear the bears are here to stay—mischief and all.
Whether this incident will earn them a few more visitors (or a few fewer buckets of honey) remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Devon’s bear duo just lived out the sweetest escape of the summer.