Fact Check: "Bear spotted peacefully wandering 60 kilometers from Vilnius after escaping the city."
What We Know
A young female bear recently made headlines after wandering into Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. This incident began when the bear entered the city, causing a stir among residents and authorities alike. The bear was initially spotted in the suburbs and later came within about 4-5 kilometers (2-3 miles) of the city center, prompting the government to issue a permit for the bear to be shot, which was met with significant backlash from local hunters and conservationists (Washington Post, AP News).
After two days of roaming the city, the bear managed to escape and was later recorded peacefully wandering through a forest approximately 60 kilometers (40 miles) from Vilnius, where it was seen munching on corn (AP News, Baltic Review). This bear is part of a small population of brown bears in Lithuania, which are considered a vulnerable species under both Lithuanian and EU law (Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that a bear was spotted peacefully wandering 60 kilometers from Vilnius after escaping the city is supported by multiple credible sources. The bear's journey into Vilnius and subsequent escape into the forest has been reported consistently across various news outlets, including the Associated Press and Baltic Review.
The reports indicate that the bear was initially in distress due to its unfamiliar surroundings but did not exhibit aggressive behavior. The Lithuanian Association of Hunters and Fishermen expressed their disapproval of the government's decision to issue a kill permit, emphasizing the bear's non-threatening nature (AP News).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they include established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The information about the bear's peaceful behavior and its subsequent sighting in the forest is corroborated by eyewitness accounts and official statements from local wildlife experts, making it a credible claim.
Conclusion
The claim that a bear was spotted peacefully wandering 60 kilometers from Vilnius after escaping the city is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the bear, after causing a stir in the city, was indeed recorded in a forest far from Vilnius, behaving peacefully.
Sources
- A wild bear enters Lithuania's capital. Hunters refuse a government ...
- Lithuanian hunters refuse government request to shoot a wild bear in ...
- Bear in the Big City: Vilnius on Edge Over an Unexpected Visitor
- Lithuanian hunters refuse a government request to shoot a ...
- A bear was spotted near residential buildings in Vilnius district
