Sometimes, reality tips its hat to classic children’s literature. Two enterprising brown bears at Wildwood Trust in Devon recently treated their keepers and visitors to a live-action version of Winnie the Pooh—complete with an abandoned food store and, fittingly, a week’s supply of honey.

Mish and Lucy: From Albanian Snowdrift to Devon’s Sweetest Heist

Mish and Lucy’s story is no everyday zoo tale. As Sky News recounts, the siblings were found as orphan cubs, abandoned by their mother in a snowdrift high in the Albanian mountains. The Independent adds that several attempts were made to reintroduce them to the wild, but conservationists decided the pair could not survive on their own. Following a fundraising campaign, they were transported to Wildwood’s Kent site in 2020 before moving to their “forever home” in Devon the following year.

Now at the tender age of four, both bears—described as playful and affectionate by their caretakers—managed to escape their enclosure in a decidedly straightforward break: an as-yet-unexplained breach under investigation by the Trust. Not for the open road did they make a break, but rather straight for the food store, a move that demonstrates not only cunning, but culinary priorities that would make Pooh Bear proud.

A Bear Necessity: The Honey Score

In statements relayed by both Sky News and The Independent, Wildwood Trust emphasized that Mish and Lucy posed no danger to the public at any point. Visitors were swiftly and calmly escorted to secure buildings—think more British tea time than full-scale panic drill. Police attended as a routine precaution, and the Trust credited staff and guest cooperation for the speedy resolution.

Throughout their hour of freedom, staff kept eyes on the adventurers both on the ground and via CCTV, as detailed in both outlets. The pair reportedly focused their efforts—and appetites—on a stash of honey, devouring a week’s worth along with other available snacks, before ambling back to their enclosure on their own accord and promptly falling asleep. There’s no mention of a guilty conscience, only a satisfied nap.

As described in The Independent, Mish enjoys splashing in pools and swinging in hammocks, while Lucy favors climbing trees and staying close to her brother. One imagines their future escapades may include more robust locks and perhaps a new approach to honey storage.

How Did They Do It?

The precise method of escape remains under investigation, with Sky News noting that the Trust is reviewing how the breach occurred. Both outlets report reassurances from the Trust that the exhibit is secure, and that lessons will be taken from the event. Visitors and staff alike are credited with cooperation that helped swiftly and safely resolve the situation. So far, there’s no evidence of elaborate planning or tunnel-digging, but perhaps an above-average bear motivation when it comes to sweet treats.

A Gentle Heist, a Pooh-ish Postscript

Is honey truly that irresistible for both fictional and actual bears, or is Mish and Lucy’s escapade simply another quirky addition to the annals of animal cleverness? Their journey—from abandoned Albanian cubs to celebrated, honey-thieving residents of Devon—has a ring of storybook adventure, punctuated this time by actual honey and an afternoon nap.

With the investigation ongoing and the honey shelves wiped clean, it’s fair to wonder: when presented with a fleeting moment of freedom, is there anything more reliable than a bear’s nose for snacks? For Mish and Lucy, it seems the answer is as sweet—and predictable—as ever.