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Obituary: Bruno the Bear

He's known variously as JJ1, problem bear, Petzi and Bruno, and has wandered southern Germany and Austria over the last few weeks snacking on sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and honey. He's become the star of an internet game. And he's been hunted by American bear-trap inventors, Finnish tracking experts and their non-heat-resistant dogs, and finally by gun-toting, lederhosen-wearing Bavarians. Now it's time to say goodbye.

That's right. After leading the German media on a merry race since mid-May, Bruno was shot dead early Monday morning by an unnamed Bavarian hunter after the state government once again gave the OK for licensed hunters to shoot the troublesome bear. With the costs of expert help to capture him alive running at over $150,000 and an enclosure already put aside for Bruno to live out his retirement days, it's unsurprising that many groups are outraged.

Perhaps the "shoot to kill" order from the Bavarian government could have had better timing. If they'd waited until Germany plays their quarterfinal game on Friday evening, nobody would've noticed. We guess that Bruno will be cheering for Argentina from bear heaven.

Related stories:
Problem Bear is Dead [Deutsche Welle]
German Friendship Hard to Bear [The Age]