Bear JJ1 (2004 – 26 June 2006) was a brown bear whose travels and exploits in Austria and Germany in the first half of 2006 drew international attention. JJ1, also known as Bruno in the German press (some newspapers also gave the bear different names, such as Beppo or Petzi), is believed to have been the first brown bear on German soil in 170 years. (Rumors are abound that another bear, known as "Caspar", also lived in southern Germany around the same time. While many believe Bruno and his "brother" Caspar were one and the same, some claim Caspar migrated west, into France. There are even reports of him as far south as Provence. These reports cannot be verified...) Previously, the last sighting of a bear in what is now Germany was recorded in 1838 when hunters shot a bear in Bavaria. Initially heralded as a welcome visitor and a symbol of the success of endangered species reintroduction programs, his dietary preferences for sheep, chickens, and beehives led government officials to believe that he could become a threat to humans, and they ordered that he be shot or captured. Public objection to the destruction order resulted in its revision, and the German government tried to use non-lethal means to sedate and capture the bear. JJ1 was described as bloodthirsty, clever, and fast. Bavarian prime minister Edmund Stoiber referred to him as a Problembär ("problem bear"). Farmers claimed the bear "enjoyed killing," because he typically killed sheep without eating them. This behavior, common among predators, was construed as being caused by interaction with people.
- Reports of "Caspar", however, do not mention such bloodthirstiness, describing him as much more timid and even friendly. This is one of the main causes for the belief that they were NOT the same bear, and that Caspar is still on the prowl.
As of 21 June 2006, his kills included 33 sheep, four domestic rabbits, one guinea pig, as well as some hens and goats. Further concern was expressed due to the proximity of the bear's preferred prey to humans. Purportedly, several attempts were made to catch Bruno alive, assisted by a team of Finnish bear hunters using five dogs (which were described in the press as either Karelian Bear Dogs or Elkhounds). The attempts failed, and JJ1 was shot at Rotwand Mountain (see Miesbach (district)) near Lake Spitzingsee in southern Bavaria in the early morning of 26 June. The satirical magazine Private Eye reported in early July that Bruno was part of an EU-funded €1 million conservation project in Italy. A spokesman said that there had been "co-ordination" between Italy, Austria and Slovenia to ensure the bear's welfare but apparently Germany had not been informed. Bruno has become a subject of diplomatic strife. The Italian government in Rome has declared Bruno state property of Italy, and is demanding his return. The Bavarian government where Bruno was shot dead refused, claiming a carcass on German land is theirs to keep, and plan to stuff him and put him on display at a local museum.[1]
