It's not that Wisconsin is necessarily hostile territory for bears. Some of them
just go on walkabout.
Bruno was an adult male black bear from Wisconsin, and a handsome one at that.
But none of that made him unusual in a state with about 30,000 bears.
His wanderlust is what really set him apart.
In late spring and early summer of 2020 he left the Badger State and swam the Mississippi River into Iowa.
He stuck out in the greening farm fields and open spaces and became a novelty. It's there he was given his name.
Once the Iowa caucuses are over, watching the corn grow isn't exciting.
Last June more than 100 people gathered to watch and photograph Bruno in Scott County, Iowa, according to the Des Moines Register. Police issued warnings about "loving the bear to death."
Unfortunately, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you" is bad news for humans and ursines alike.
Bruno made it out of Iowa and back into Wisconsin before heading south into Illinois and Missouri.
Last Fourth of July weekend he drew a crowd estimated at 400 people in a maze of highways outside St. Louis. But since that posed risks for Bruno and his audience, officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation tranquilized the bear and relocated him to the northeastern corner of the Ozark Mountains.
You knew that unintended consequences would follow.
Bruno then continued his trek south into Arkansas and eventually Louisiana.
As so often happens with large land animals that make long movements out of their home range, this one ended with Bruno being struck by a vehicle.
The bear, which had two broken legs, was euthanized Tuesday by staff with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
It's estimated Bruno traveled 800 miles, a very long way for any animal, especially a black bear.
His wanderings, though, apparently provided a non-controversial conversation starter for people who were following his wanderings.
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