CSI Pyrenees: Frenchy The Bear

Some of you may be eager for the latest news of the Slovenian bears in the French Pyrenees. The news is good or bad depending on who hears it, but everyone will agree that it's odd.

In 2006, the French government released a Slovenian brown bear named "Franska" (or "Frenchy" in Slovenian) in the French Pyrenees. Some shepherds were angry and raised hell.

The same year Palouma, another imported bear was found dead at the foot of a cliff. The Greens thought the circumstances suspicious. The shepherds applauded her death.

Now, in August of 2007, Franska died. An investigation and autopsy revealed that:

1 She was old. Franska was supposed to be a sexy, young female. Her job was to breed more bears. But in fact, she was way beyond breeding age. A Slovenian fraud perpetrated on the French? One thing is sure; she didn't die of old age.

2 She had been shot in the derriere by a shotgun, but that was not the cause of death either, because--

3 She was hit by a truck while crossing the road and killed instantly.

"What a joy and what a relief for the keepers of livestock!" said the president of the Association for the Preservation of Pyreneean Heritage of the High Pyrenees.

"Such sad news.... We will immediately ask the government that she be replaced," said the president of the Association of Bear Country.