Bears in the news

Hybrid bear shot dead in Canada (BBC News, May 13, 2006) --A white bear with brown patches and an odd shape is confirmed as a polar bear/grizzly hybrid.

Bavaria rethinks its bear welcome (BBC News, May 22, 2006) -- A bear roaming wild in Germany is declared "out of control" after seven sheep carcasses were found, indicating that it wasn't as leery of farms and homes as first thought.

I found this surprising: "It is thought to be the first bear to roam wild in Germany since 1835."