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World Cup Mascot No Sheep-Killer (But Still a Mimbo)

It looks like we owe poor old Goleo VI, Germany's morally-questionable World Cup Mascot, a big apology. Last week we accused him of going on a wide-ranging sheep and chicken slaughter in Bavaria to rustle up some attention before the World Cup kick-off on June 9. We were wrong.

German, Austrian and Italian authorities have instead agreed that the culprit is a bear. (the unimaginatively named JJ1, after his parents, Jose and Jurka) You might recognise him as the twin of JJ2, who went on a sheep-killing spree in Switzerland last year. Tough family.

While Austria and Italy have programs running to reintroduce bears to their previous natural habitats, the Germans are not quite sure about the idea yet, and the Environment Minister said this week that

The bear has turned into a problem bear [who] has to be taken out of circulation.

We've seen Grizzly Man. We know how Germans feel about problem bears.

Experts believe JJ1 was kicked out of the den by mother Jurka, and he's now roaming central Europe in search of a mate. We can still get Goleo in on the act this way. Perhaps he could ditch the soccer ball and team up with a bear instead?

Related stories:
Grin and Bear It [LA Times]
The Lion, the Pitch and the Cardboard [Business Online]