Watch CBS News

Polish Police Search For Man Who Entered Bear Enclosure At Zoo

WARSAW, POLAND (AP) — Polish authorities are searching for a man who tangled with a bear at Warsaw's zoo and escaped, leaving traces of his blood behind.

Maria Krakowiak, head of the animals of prey section at the Warsaw zoo, said Thursday that the man hasn't been found after his dangerous Sunday stunt.

Some blood was found Sunday outside the enclosure but it appears the man was not badly hurt since no local hospitals reported treating him. Krakowiak said the stunt was "very dangerous" and "could have ended much worse."

A witness posted photos on the Internet showing the man in shorts and with bare feet. From the photos it appears the bear, a female named Sabina, tried to bite the man's arm and that the man hit the bear. From the photos it is not clear which happened first.

However, the tabloid Fakt, citing witnesses, reported Wednesday that it was the man who first attacked Sabina, hitting the 200-kilo (440-pound) bear with his fists.

"He survived only thanks to a miracle," Fakt wrote.

The bear enclosure, while belonging to the zoo, is actually located outside the boundaries of the zoo along a busy street, an unusual landmark that has been there for decades.

Krakowiak said the zoo is hoping that the city authorities will install cameras to monitor the bears' enclosure.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.